US11198289B2 - Liquid discharge head control circuit, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge apparatus - Google Patents

Liquid discharge head control circuit, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US11198289B2
US11198289B2 US16/727,600 US201916727600A US11198289B2 US 11198289 B2 US11198289 B2 US 11198289B2 US 201916727600 A US201916727600 A US 201916727600A US 11198289 B2 US11198289 B2 US 11198289B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
signal
wiring
terminal
liquid discharge
contact portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US16/727,600
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20200198334A1 (en
Inventor
Sukehiro Ito
Hideaki Nishimura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Epson Corp
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2019036740A external-priority patent/JP7207015B2/ja
Application filed by Seiko Epson Corp filed Critical Seiko Epson Corp
Assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION reassignment SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ITO, SUKEHIRO, NISHIMURA, HIDEAKI
Publication of US20200198334A1 publication Critical patent/US20200198334A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US11198289B2 publication Critical patent/US11198289B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04541—Specific driving circuit
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04581—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on piezoelectric elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04588—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits using a specific waveform
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04593—Dot-size modulation by changing the size of the drop
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04596—Non-ejecting pulses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2/14201—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2002/14491—Electrical connection

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a liquid discharge head control circuit, a liquid discharge head, and a liquid discharge apparatus.
  • a liquid discharge apparatus such as an ink jet printer forms characters or an image on a recording medium in a manner that the liquid discharge apparatus drives a piezoelectric element provided in a print head by a driving signal and thus discharges a liquid such as an ink with which a cavity is filled, from a nozzle.
  • a liquid discharge apparatus when a problem occurs in the print head, discharge abnormality in which it is not possible to normally discharge the liquid from the nozzle may occur. When such discharge abnormality occurs, discharge accuracy of the ink discharged from the nozzle may be decreased, and quality of an image formed on the recording medium may be decreased.
  • JP-A-2017-114020 discloses a print head having a self-diagnosis function of determining whether or not a dot satisfying normal print quality can be formed, in accordance with a plurality of signals input to a print head (liquid discharge head) by the print head itself.
  • the self-diagnosis function may not be normally performed when a signal waveform is distorted by superimposing noise on a plurality of signal waveforms for performing the self-diagnosis function.
  • a liquid discharge head control circuit controls an operation of a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle.
  • the liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge the liquid from the nozzle, a diagnostic circuit that performs self-diagnosis based on a first diagnosis signal and a second diagnosis signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first diagnosis signal, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit.
  • the liquid discharge head control circuit includes a conversion circuit that converts a base diagnosis signal being a base of the first diagnosis signal into the pair of first differential signals, a first wiring which is electrically coupled to the first terminal and is used for propagating a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, a second wiring which is electrically coupled to the second terminal and is used for propagating a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a third wiring which is electrically coupled to the third terminal and is used for propagating the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a fourth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fourth terminal and is used for propagating one signal of the pair of first differential signals, a fifth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fifth terminal and is used for propagating the other signal of the pair of first differential signals, and a driving signal output circuit that outputs the driving signal.
  • the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged side by side. In a direction in which the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged, the fourth wiring and the second wiring are located to be adjacent to each other, the fifth wiring and the third wiring are located to be adjacent to each other, and the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are located between the second wiring and the third wiring.
  • a liquid discharge head control circuit controls an operation of a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle.
  • the liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge the liquid from the nozzle, a diagnostic circuit that performs self-diagnosis based on a first diagnosis signal and a second diagnosis signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first diagnosis signal, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit.
  • the liquid discharge head control circuit includes a conversion circuit that converts a base diagnosis signal being a base of the first diagnosis signal into the pair of first differential signals, a first wiring which is electrically coupled to the first terminal and is used for propagating a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, a second wiring which is electrically coupled to the second terminal and is used for propagating a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a third wiring which is electrically coupled to the third terminal and is used for propagating the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a fourth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fourth terminal and is used for propagating one signal of the pair of first differential signals, a fifth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fifth terminal and is used for propagating the other signal of the pair of first differential signals, and a driving signal output circuit that outputs the driving signal.
  • the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged side by side. In a direction intersecting with a direction in which the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged, the second wiring is located to
  • the conversion circuit may convert a base clock signal being a base of a clock signal into a pair of second differential signals, the fourth wiring may be also used as a wiring for propagating one signal of the pair of second differential signals, and the fifth wiring may be also used as a wiring for propagating the other signal of the pair of second differential signals.
  • the conversion circuit may convert a base print data signal being a base of a print data signal for defining a waveform selection of the driving signal into a pair of third differential signals, the fourth wiring may be also used as a wiring for propagating one signal of the pair of third differential signals, and the fifth wiring may be also used as a wiring for propagating the other signal of the pair of third differential signals.
  • the diagnostic circuit may perform the self-diagnosis based on a third diagnosis signal and a fourth diagnosis signal in addition to the first diagnosis signal and the second diagnosis signal.
  • the liquid discharge head may further include a sixth terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh terminal electrically coupled to the restoration circuit.
  • the liquid discharge head control circuit may further include a sixth wiring which is electrically coupled to the sixth terminal and is used for propagating the first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh wiring which is electrically coupled to the seventh terminal and is used for propagating the third diagnosis signal.
  • the seventh wiring may be located to be adjacent to the first wiring and the sixth wiring.
  • a liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge a liquid from a nozzle, a diagnostic circuit that performs self-diagnosis based on a first diagnosis signal and a second diagnosis signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first diagnosis signal, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit.
  • a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit is input to the first terminal.
  • a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the second terminal.
  • the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the third terminal.
  • One signal of the pair of first differential signals to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the fourth terminal.
  • the other signal of the pair of first differential signals to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the fifth terminal.
  • the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged side by side. In a direction in which the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged, the fourth terminal and the second terminal are located to be adjacent to each other, the fifth terminal and the third terminal are located to be adjacent to each other, and the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are located between the second terminal and the third terminal.
  • a liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge a liquid from a nozzle, a diagnostic circuit that performs self-diagnosis based on a first diagnosis signal and a second diagnosis signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first diagnosis signal, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit.
  • a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit is input to the first terminal.
  • a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the second terminal.
  • the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the third terminal.
  • One signal of the pair of first differential signals to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the fourth terminal.
  • the other signal of the pair of first differential signals to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the fifth terminal.
  • the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged side by side. In a direction intersecting with a direction in which the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged, the second terminal is located to overlap the fourth terminal, and the third terminal is located to overlap the fifth terminal.
  • the restoration circuit may restore a pair of second differential signals to a clock signal.
  • the fourth terminal may be also used as a terminal to which one signal of the pair of second differential signals is supplied.
  • the fifth terminal may be also used as a terminal to which the other signal of the pair of second differential signals is supplied.
  • the restoration circuit may restore a pair of third differential signals to a print data signal for defining a waveform selection of the driving signal.
  • the fourth terminal may be also used as a terminal to which one signal of the pair of third differential signals is supplied.
  • the fifth terminal may be also used as a terminal to which the other signal of the pair of third differential signals is supplied.
  • the diagnostic circuit may perform the self-diagnosis based on a third diagnosis signal and a fourth diagnosis signal in addition to the first diagnosis signal and the second diagnosis signal.
  • the liquid discharge head in the aspect may further include a sixth terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh terminal electrically coupled to the restoration circuit.
  • the first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit may be input to the sixth terminal.
  • the third diagnosis signal may be input to the seventh terminal.
  • the seventh terminal In a direction in which the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged, the seventh terminal may be located to be adjacent to the first terminal and the sixth terminal.
  • a liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle, and a liquid discharge head control circuit that controls an operation of the liquid discharge head.
  • the liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge the liquid from the nozzle, a diagnostic circuit that performs self-diagnosis based on a first diagnosis signal and a second diagnosis signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first diagnosis signal, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit.
  • the liquid discharge head control circuit includes a conversion circuit that converts a base diagnosis signal being a base of the first diagnosis signal into the pair of first differential signals, a first wiring which is electrically coupled to the first terminal and is used for propagating a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, a second wiring which is electrically coupled to the second terminal and is used for propagating a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a third wiring which is electrically coupled to the third terminal and is used for propagating the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a fourth wiring for propagating one signal of the pair of first differential signals, a fifth wiring for propagating the other signal of the pair of first differential signals, and a driving signal output circuit that outputs the driving signal.
  • the first wiring and the first terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a first contact portion.
  • the second wiring and the second terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a second contact portion.
  • the third wiring and the third terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a third contact portion.
  • the fourth wiring and the fourth terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a fourth contact portion.
  • the fifth wiring and the fifth terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a fifth contact portion.
  • the fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are disposed to be arranged.
  • the second contact portion is located to be adjacent to the fourth contact portion
  • the third contact portion is located to be adjacent to the fifth contact portion
  • the fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are located between the second contact portion and the third contact portion.
  • a liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle, and a liquid discharge head control circuit that controls an operation of the liquid discharge head.
  • the liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge the liquid from the nozzle, a diagnostic circuit that performs self-diagnosis based on a first diagnosis signal and a second diagnosis signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first diagnosis signal, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit.
  • the liquid discharge head control circuit includes a conversion circuit that converts a base diagnosis signal being a base of the first diagnosis signal into the pair of first differential signals, a first wiring which is electrically coupled to the first terminal and is used for propagating a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, a second wiring which is electrically coupled to the second terminal and is used for propagating a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a third wiring which is electrically coupled to the third terminal and is used for propagating the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a fourth wiring for propagating one signal of the pair of first differential signals, a fifth wiring for propagating the other signal of the pair of first differential signals, and a driving signal output circuit that outputs the driving signal.
  • the first wiring and the first terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a first contact portion.
  • the second wiring and the second terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a second contact portion.
  • the third wiring and the third terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a third contact portion.
  • the fourth wiring and the fourth terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a fourth contact portion.
  • the fifth wiring and the fifth terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a fifth contact portion.
  • the fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are disposed to be arranged. In a direction intersecting with a direction in which the fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are arranged, the second contact portion is located to overlap the fourth contact portion, and the third contact portion is located to overlap the fifth contact portion.
  • the conversion circuit may convert a base clock signal being a base of a clock signal into a pair of second differential signals
  • the fourth wiring may be also used as a wiring for propagating one signal of the pair of second differential signals
  • the fifth wiring may be also used as a wiring for propagating the other signal of the pair of second differential signals.
  • the conversion circuit may convert a base print data signal being a base of a print data signal for defining a waveform selection of the driving signal into a pair of third differential signals, the fourth wiring may be also used as a wiring for propagating one signal of the pair of third differential signals, and the fifth wiring may be also used as a wiring for propagating the other signal of the pair of third differential signals.
  • the diagnostic circuit may perform the self-diagnosis based on a third diagnosis signal and a fourth diagnosis signal in addition to the first diagnosis signal and the second diagnosis signal.
  • the liquid discharge head may further include a sixth terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh terminal electrically coupled to the restoration circuit.
  • the liquid discharge head control circuit may further include a sixth wiring which is electrically coupled to the sixth terminal and is used for propagating the first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh wiring which is electrically coupled to the seventh terminal and is used for propagating the third diagnosis signal.
  • the sixth wiring and the sixth terminal may be electrically in contact with each other at a sixth contact portion.
  • the seventh wiring and the seventh terminal may be electrically in contact with each other at a seventh contact portion. In a direction in which the fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are arranged, the seventh contact portion may be located to be adjacent to the first contact portion and the sixth contact portion.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a liquid discharge apparatus.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the liquid discharge apparatus.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of driving signals COMA and COMB.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a driving signal VOUT.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a driving signal selection circuit.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating decoding contents in a decoder.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a selection circuit corresponding to one discharge section.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the driving signal selection circuit.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the liquid discharge apparatus.
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cable.
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a liquid discharge head.
  • FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an ink discharge surface.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of one signal of a plurality of discharge sections.
  • FIG. 14 is a plan view when a head substrate is viewed from a surface.
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a connector.
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a specific example when the cable is attached to the connector.
  • FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 a and is input to a liquid discharge head through a connector 350 a.
  • FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head through a connector 350 b.
  • FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 c and is input to the liquid discharge head through a connector 350 c.
  • FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 d and is input to the liquid discharge head through a connector 350 d.
  • FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 e and is input to the liquid discharge head through a connector 350 e.
  • FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 f and is input to the liquid discharge head through a connector 350 f.
  • FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 g and is input to the liquid discharge head through a connector 350 g.
  • FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 h and is input to the liquid discharge head through a connector 350 h.
  • FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 b and is input to a liquid discharge head through a connector 350 b according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 a and is input to a liquid discharge head through a connector 350 a according to a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in a cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head through a connector 350 b in the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a liquid discharge apparatus 1 .
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 is a serial printing type ink jet printer that forms an image on a medium P in a manner that a carriage 20 discharges an ink to the transported medium P with reciprocating.
  • a liquid discharge head 21 that discharges the ink as an example of a liquid is mounted.
  • descriptions will be made on the assumption that a direction in which the carriage 20 moves is an X-direction, a direction in which the medium P is transported is a Y-direction, and a direction in which the ink is discharged is a Z-direction.
  • any printing target such as print paper, a resin film, and a cloth can be used.
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 includes a liquid container 2 , a control mechanism 10 , the carriage 20 , a movement mechanism 30 , and a transport mechanism 40 .
  • Plural kinds of inks to be discharged onto a medium P are stored in the liquid container 2 .
  • As the color of the ink stored in the liquid container 2 black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, and gray, and the like are exemplified.
  • As the liquid container 2 in which such an ink is stored an ink cartridge, a bag-like ink pack formed of a flexible film, an ink tank capable of replenishing an ink, or the like is used.
  • the control mechanism 10 includes, for example, a processing circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a storage circuit such as a semiconductor memory.
  • the control mechanism 10 controls elements of the liquid discharge apparatus 1 . Specifically, the control mechanism 10 generates control signals Ctrl-H, Ctrl-C, and Ctrl-T and outputs the control signals to various components of the liquid discharge apparatus 1 .
  • the liquid discharge head 21 is mounted in the carriage 20 .
  • the control signal Ctrl-H including a plurality of signals is input to the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the liquid discharge head 21 discharges an ink supplied from the liquid container 2 , based on the control signal Ctrl-H.
  • the liquid container 2 may be mounted in the carriage 20 .
  • the movement mechanism 30 includes a carriage motor 31 and an endless belt 32 .
  • a signal based on the control signal Ctrl-C is input to the carriage motor 31 .
  • the carriage motor 31 operates based on the control signal Ctrl-C.
  • the carriage 20 is fixed to the endless belt 32 .
  • the endless belt 32 rotates by an operation of the carriage motor 31 .
  • the control signal Ctrl-C may be converted into a signal having a more suitable format in order to operate the carriage motor 31 in a carriage motor driver (not illustrated).
  • the transport mechanism 40 includes a transport motor 41 and a transport roller 42 .
  • a signal based on the control signal Ctrl-T is input to the transport motor 41 .
  • the transport motor 41 operates based on the control signal Ctrl-T.
  • the transport roller 42 rotates by an operation of the transport motor 41 .
  • a medium P is transported in the Y-direction with the rotation of the transport roller 42 .
  • the control signal Ctrl-T may be converted into a signal having a more suitable format in order to operate the transport motor 41 in a transport motor driver (not illustrated).
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 discharges an ink from the liquid discharge head 21 mounted in the carriage 20 with transport of the medium P by the transport mechanism 40 and reciprocation of the carriage 20 by the movement mechanism 30 .
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 forms a desired image on the medium P.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the liquid discharge apparatus 1 .
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 includes the control mechanism 10 and the liquid discharge head 21 . Descriptions will be made on the assumption that the liquid discharge head 21 in FIG. 2 includes n driving signal selection circuits 200 .
  • the control mechanism 10 includes a conversion circuit 70 , driving signal output circuits 50 - 1 to 50 - n , a first power source voltage output circuit 51 , a second power source voltage output circuit 52 , and a control circuit 100 .
  • the control circuit 100 includes a processor such as a microcontroller, for example.
  • the control circuit 100 generates and outputs data or various signals for controlling the liquid discharge apparatus 1 , based on various signals such as image data, which are input from a host computer.
  • the control circuit 100 generates and outputs base diagnosis signals oDIG 1 to oDIG 4 , a base clock signal oSCK, base print data signals oSI 1 to oSIn, a base latch signal oLAT, base change signals oCHa and oCHb, and base driving signals dA 1 to dAn and dB 1 to dBn, which are used for controlling the liquid discharge apparatus 1 .
  • the base diagnosis signals oDIG 1 to oDIG 4 are signals being bases of four diagnosis signals DIG 1 to DIG 4 used when the liquid discharge head 21 diagnoses whether or not normal discharge of a liquid is possible.
  • Each of the base diagnosis signals oDIG 1 and oDIG 2 is input to the conversion circuit 70 .
  • Each of the base diagnosis signals oDIG 3 and oDIG 4 is input to the liquid discharge head 21 . That is, the control circuit 100 functions as a base diagnosis signal output circuit that generates and outputs the base diagnosis signals oDIG 1 to oDIG 4 being the bases of the diagnosis signals DIG 1 to DIG 4 used for self-diagnosis of the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the base clock signal oSCK, the base print data signals oSI 1 to oSIn, the base latch signal oLAT, and the base change signals oCHa and oCHb are signals being bases of a clock signal SCK, print data signals SI 1 to SIn, a latch signal LAT, and change signals CHa and CHb which are for controlling an operation of the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the base clock signal oSCK and each of the base print data signals oSI 1 to oSIn are input to the conversion circuit 70 .
  • the base latch signal oLAT and each of the base change signals oCHa and oCHb are input to the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the conversion circuit 70 converts the input base diagnosis signals oDIG 1 and oDIG 2 , the base clock signal oSCK, and the base print data signals oSI 1 to oSIn into pairs of differential signals. Specifically, the conversion circuit 70 converts each of the base diagnosis signals oDIG 1 and oDIG 2 into a pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and dDIG 2 . The conversion circuit 70 converts the base clock signal oSCK into a pair of differential clock signals dSCK. The conversion circuit 70 converts each of the base print data signal oSI 1 to oSIn into a pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 to dSIn.
  • the conversion circuit 70 outputs the differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and dDIG 2 , the differential clock signal dSCK, and each of the differential print data signals dSI 1 to dSIn to the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the base diagnosis signal oDIG 1 is an example of a base diagnosis signal.
  • the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 is an example of a first differential signal.
  • the pair of differential clock signals dSCK is an example of a pair of second differential signals.
  • the base print data signal oSI is an example of a base print data signal.
  • the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 is an example of a third differential signal.
  • the diagnosis signal DIG 1 is an example of a first diagnosis signal.
  • the diagnosis signal DIG 2 is an example of a second diagnosis signal.
  • the diagnosis signal DIG 3 is an example of a third diagnosis signal.
  • the diagnosis signal DIG 4 is an example of a fourth diagnosis signal.
  • the conversion circuit 70 performs conversion into a differential signal of a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) transfer method, for example.
  • a differential signal of the LVDS transfer method has an amplitude of substantially 350 mV, and thus can realize high-speed data transfer.
  • the conversion circuit 70 may perform conversion into a differential signal of various high-speed transfer method such as a low voltage positive emitter coupled logic (LVPECL) transfer method or a current mode logic (CIVIL) transfer method in addition to the LVDS transfer method.
  • LVPECL low voltage positive emitter coupled logic
  • CIVIL current mode logic
  • each of the base diagnosis signals oDIG 1 to oDIG 4 and each of the base clock signal oSCK, the base print data signal oSI 1 , the base latch signal oLAT, and the base change signal oCHa are propagated in a common wiring.
  • the base diagnosis signal oDIG 1 and the base clock signal oSCK are propagated in a common wiring.
  • the base diagnosis signal oDIG 2 and the base print data signal oSI are propagated in a common wiring.
  • the base diagnosis signal oDIG 3 and the base latch signal oLAT are propagated in a common wiring.
  • the base diagnosis signal oDIG 4 and the base change signal oCHa are propagated in a common wiring.
  • Each of the differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and dDIG 2 and each of the differential clock signal dSCK and the differential print data signal dSI 1 are propagated in a common wiring.
  • the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 and the differential clock signal dSCK are propagated in a common wiring
  • the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 2 and the differential print data signal dSI 1 are propagated in a common wiring.
  • the base driving signals dA 1 to dAn and dB 1 to dBn are digital signals and signals being bases of driving signals COMA 1 to COMAn and COMB 1 to COMBn for driving a piezoelectric element 60 as an example of a driving element provided in the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the base driving signals dA 1 to dAn and dB 1 to dBn are input to the corresponding driving signal output circuits 50 - 1 to 50 - n .
  • the following descriptions will be made on the assumption that the base driving signals dAi and dBi (i is any of 1 to n) are input to the corresponding driving signal output circuit 50 - i.
  • the driving signal output circuit 50 - i generates the driving signal COMAi by performing D-class amplification on an analog signal obtained by performing digital-to-analog signal conversion on the input base driving signal dAi.
  • the driving signal output circuit 50 - i generates the driving signal COMBi by performing D-class amplification on an analog signal obtained by performing digital-to-analog signal conversion on the input base driving signal dBi. That is, the driving signal output circuit 50 - i includes two D-class amplifier circuits which are a D-class amplifier circuit that generates the driving signal COMAi based on the base driving signal dAi and a D-class amplifier circuit that generates the driving signal COMBi based on the base driving signal dBi.
  • the base driving signals dAi and dBi may be signals capable of defining waveforms of the driving signals COMAi and COMBi and may be analog signals.
  • the two D-class amplifier circuit in the driving signal output circuit 50 - i may be capable of amplifying the waveform defined by the base driving signals dAi and dBi, and may be configured with an A-class amplifier circuit, a B-class amplifier circuit, or an AB-class amplifier circuit.
  • the driving signal output circuit 50 i generates and outputs a voltage VBSi indicating a reference potential of the driving signals COMAi and COMBi.
  • the voltage VBS may be a signal having a ground potential in which a voltage value is 0 V, or may be a signal having a DC voltage in which a voltage value is 6 V, or the like.
  • the driving signal output circuit 50 - i outputs the driving signals COMAi and COMBi and the voltage VBS which are generated, to the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • all of the driving signal output circuits 50 - 1 to 50 - n have the similar configuration, and thus may be referred to as a driving signal output circuit 50 in the following descriptions. Descriptions may be made on the assumption that the base driving signals dA and dB are input to the driving signal output circuit 50 , and the driving signal output circuit 50 generates the driving signals COMA and COMB and the voltage VBS.
  • at least one of the driving signals COMA and COMB is an example of the driving signal.
  • the control circuit 100 outputs the control signal Ctrl-C for controlling reciprocation of the carriage 20 (in which the liquid discharge head 21 is mounted) to the movement mechanism 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the control circuit 100 generates and outputs the control signal Ctrl-T for controlling transport of the medium P to the transport mechanism 40 illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the first power source voltage output circuit 51 generates a voltage VDD.
  • the voltage VDD is a power source voltage of various components of the control mechanism 10 and the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the first power source voltage output circuit 51 may generate voltage VDD having a plurality of voltage values suitable for the various components of the control mechanism 10 and the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the first power source voltage output circuit 51 outputs the voltage VDD to the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the second power source voltage output circuit 52 generates a voltage VHV.
  • the voltage VHV is a signal having a voltage value larger than the voltage VDD and is a base of a voltage to be amplified by the two D-class amplifier circuit in each of the driving signal output circuits 50 - 1 to 50 - n .
  • the voltage VHV is also input to the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - n in the liquid discharge head 21 . That is, the second power source voltage output circuit 52 also outputs the voltage VHV to the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • control mechanism 10 outputs the above-described various signals and voltages to the liquid discharge head 21 as the control signal Ctrl-H for controlling the operation of the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the control mechanism 10 outputs ground signals GND 1 and GND 2 for defining a ground potential of the liquid discharge head 21 to the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the liquid discharge head 21 includes a restoration circuit 130 , the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - n , the diagnostic circuit 240 , and a plurality of discharge sections 600 .
  • the differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and dDIG 2 , the differential clock signal dSCK, the differential print data signals dSI 1 to dSIn, the base diagnosis signals oDIG 3 and oDIG 4 , the base latch signal oLAT, and the base change signals oCHa and oCHb are input to the restoration circuit 130 .
  • the restoration circuit 130 restores the differential signal to a single-ended signal based on the input various signals.
  • the restoration circuit 130 restores the differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and dDIG 2 , the differential clock signal dSCK, and the differential print data signals dSI 1 to dSIn to single-ended signals based on the input base latch signal oLAT and a timing defined by the base change signals oCHa and oCHb.
  • the restoration circuit 130 restores the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 to the diagnosis signal DIG 1 .
  • the differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and dDIG 2 are restored to the diagnosis signals DIG 1 and DIG 2 being single-ended signals.
  • the differential clock signal dSCK is restored to the clock signal SCK being a single-ended signal.
  • the differential print data signals dSI 1 to dSIn are restored to the print data signals SI 1 to SIn being single-ended signals.
  • the restoration circuit 130 outputs the diagnosis signals DIG 1 and DIG 2 , the clock signal SCK, and the print data signals SI 1 to SIn being the restored single-ended signals.
  • the base latch signal oLAT and the base change signals oCHa and oCHb input to the restoration circuit 130 are used for defining a timing for restoring the pair of differential signals to a single-ended signal, and then are output from the restoration circuit 130 as the latch signal LAT and the change signals CHa and CHb.
  • the base latch signal oLAT and the base change signals oCHa and oCHb input to the restoration circuit 130 may have the same waveforms as the waveforms of the latch signal LAT and the change signals CHa and CHb output from the restoration circuit 130 .
  • the base diagnosis signals oDIG 3 and oDIG 4 input to the restoration circuit 130 and the diagnosis signals DIG 3 and DIG 4 output from the restoration circuit 130 may have the same waveform in a case where delay occurring in the restoration circuit 130 is not added.
  • the restoration circuit 130 if the single-ended signal for controlling the liquid discharge apparatus 1 is input to the restoration circuit 130 in addition to the differential signal being a signal as a restoration target, it is possible to reduce a signal delay between a single-ended signal restored by the restoration circuit 130 and a single-ended signal which is not restored by the restoration circuit 130 .
  • a concern of an occurrence of a signal delay caused by an operation of the restoration circuit 130 between the diagnosis signals DIG 1 and DIG 2 input from the control mechanism 10 as the differential signals and the diagnosis signals DIG 3 and DIG 4 input from the control mechanism 10 as the single-ended signals is reduced.
  • the diagnostic circuit 240 performs self-diagnosis of diagnosing whether or not normal discharge of the ink in the liquid discharge head 21 is possible, based on the diagnosis signals DIG 1 to DIG 4 input from the restoration circuit 130 . For example, the diagnostic circuit 240 detects whether a plurality of signals or all signals among the input diagnosis signals DIG 1 to DIG 4 have normal voltage values, and performs diagnosis of whether or not the liquid discharge head 21 and the control mechanism 10 are normally coupled to each other. The diagnostic circuit 240 may operate any components in the liquid discharge head 21 in accordance with a combination of the logical levels of a plurality of signals or all the signals of the diagnosis signals DIG 1 to DIG 4 to be input.
  • the diagnostic circuit 240 may diagnose whether or not the liquid discharge head 21 is capable of a normal operation, by detecting the voltage or the signal based on the operation. That is, the liquid discharge head 21 performs self-diagnosis of diagnosing whether or not normal discharge of the ink is possible, based on the diagnosis result of the diagnostic circuit 240 .
  • the diagnostic circuit 240 may perform self-diagnosis based on the diagnosis signal DIG 1 and the diagnosis signal DIG 2 . As described in this embodiment, the diagnostic circuit 240 may perform self-diagnosis based on the diagnosis signal DIG 3 and the diagnosis signal DIG 4 in addition to the diagnosis signal DIG 1 and the diagnosis signal DIG 2 .
  • the diagnostic circuit 240 when the diagnostic circuit 240 diagnoses that normal discharge of an ink is possible in the liquid discharge head 21 , the diagnostic circuit 240 outputs the latch signal LAT (propagated together with the diagnosis signal DIG 3 in the common wiring) and the change signal CHa (propagated together with the diagnosis signal DIG 4 in the common wiring).
  • the diagnostic circuit 240 diagnoses that normal discharge of an ink is not possible in the liquid discharge head 21 , the diagnostic circuit 240 stops the output of the latch signal LAT propagated together with the diagnosis signal DIG 3 in the common wiring and the change signal CHa propagated together with the diagnosis signal DIG 4 in the common wiring.
  • the self-diagnosis is performed based on the diagnosis signal DIG 3 and the diagnosis signal DIG 4 in addition to the diagnosis signal DIG 1 and the diagnosis signal DIG 2 .
  • the output of the latch signal LAT and the change signal CHa which are commonly supplied to the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - n may be stopped.
  • a plurality of diagnostic circuits 240 may be provided to corresponding to the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - n , respectively.
  • the diagnosis signal DIG 1 and the diagnosis signal DIG 2 are branched in the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • One branched signal is input to the diagnostic circuit 240 , and the other is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200 - 1 .
  • the clock signal SCK propagated together with the diagnosis signal DIG 1 in the common wiring and the print data signal SI 1 propagated together with the diagnosis signal DIG 2 in the common wiring have a transfer rate higher than that of the latch signal LAT and the change signal CH. Therefore, if the waveforms of the print data signal SD and the clock signal SCK are distorted, stability in operation of the liquid discharge apparatus 1 may be reduced.
  • the print data signal SD and the clock signal SCK are input to the driving signal selection circuit 200 - 1 without passing through the diagnostic circuit 240 , it is possible to reduce a concern that the waveforms of the clock signal SCK and the print data signal SI 1 are distorted.
  • the voltages VHV and VDD, the clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the change signals CHa and CHb, and the ground signal GND 1 are commonly input to each of the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - n .
  • the driving signals COMA 1 to COMAn and COMB 1 to COMBn and the print data signals SD to SIn are input to the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - n , respectively.
  • the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - n select or do not select the corresponding driving signals COMA 1 to COMAn and COMB 1 to COMBn so as to generate driving signals VOUT 1 to VOUTn and supply the driving signals VOUT 1 to VOUTn to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 in the plurality of corresponding discharge sections 600 .
  • the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - n control the supply of the driving signals COMA 1 to COMAn and COMB 1 to COMBn to the piezoelectric element 60 , respectively.
  • voltages VBS 1 to VBSn are supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 .
  • the piezoelectric element 60 performs displacement based on the driving signals VOUT 1 to VOUTn and the voltages VBS 1 to VBSn, and thus an ink having an amount depending on the displacement is discharged from the discharge section 600 . That is, the piezoelectric element 60 drives based on the driving signals COMA and COMB to discharge a liquid from the nozzle.
  • driving signal selection circuit 200 - 1 to 200 - n have the similar configuration, and thus may be referred to as a driving signal selection circuit 200 in the following descriptions. Descriptions may be made on the assumption that the driving signal selection circuit 200 selects or does not select the driving signals COMA and COMB to generate the driving signal VOUT.
  • Each of the restoration circuit 130 , the diagnostic circuit 240 , and the driving signal selection circuit 200 in the liquid discharge head 21 may be configured by one or a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs).
  • the restoration circuit 130 and the diagnostic circuit 240 may be configured in one integrated circuit.
  • the diagnostic circuit 240 and the driving signal selection circuit 200 may be configured in one integrated circuit.
  • the restoration circuit 130 , the diagnostic circuit 240 , and the driving signal selection circuit 200 may be configured in one integrated circuit.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the waveforms of the driving signals COMA and COMB.
  • the driving signal COMA has a waveform in which a trapezoid waveform Adp 1 and a trapezoid waveform Adp 2 are made continuous.
  • the trapezoid waveform Adp 1 is disposed in a period T 1 from when the latch signal LAT rises until the change signal CHa rises.
  • the trapezoid waveform Adp 2 is disposed in a period T 2 from when the change signal CHa rises until the latch signal LAT rises the next time.
  • the trapezoid waveform Adp 1 and the trapezoid waveform Adp 2 are substantially the same as each other.
  • the driving signal COMB has a waveform in which a trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 and a trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 are made continuous.
  • the trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 is disposed in a period T 3 from when the latch signal LAT rises until the change signal CHb rises.
  • the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 is disposed in a period T 4 from when the change signal CHb rises until the latch signal LAT rises the next time.
  • the trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 and the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 are different from each other.
  • the trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 is a waveform for finely vibrating the ink in the vicinity of a nozzle opening portion of the discharge section 600 to prevent an increase of ink viscosity.
  • the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 is different from the trapezoid waveforms Adp 1 and Adp 2 and the trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 .
  • the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 is supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 , an ink having an amount which is smaller than the medium amount is discharged from the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60 .
  • the periods T 1 to T 4 and a period Ta which are timings for supplying the driving signals COMA and COMB to the piezoelectric element 60 are defined based on the latch signal LAT and the change signals CHa and CHb.
  • all voltages at a start timing and an end timing of each of the trapezoid waveforms Adp 1 , Adp 2 , Bdp 1 , and Bdp 2 are common and a voltage Vc. That is, each of the trapezoid waveforms Adp 1 , Adp 2 , Bdp 1 , and Bdp 2 is a waveform which starts at the voltage Vc and ends at the voltage Vc.
  • Each of the driving signals COMA and COMB is described to be a signal having a waveform in which two trapezoid waveforms are continuous in the period Ta, but may be a signal having a waveform in which three trapezoid waveforms or more are continuous in the period Ta.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the waveform of the driving signal VOUT corresponding to each of “a large dot”, “a medium dot”, “a small dot”, and “non-recording”.
  • the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the large dot” has a waveform in which the trapezoid waveform Adp 1 and the trapezoid waveform Adp 2 are continuous in the period Ta.
  • the driving signal VOUT is supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60 , the medium amount of the ink is discharged two times from the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60 , in the period Ta.
  • the inks are landed on the medium P and are coalesced, and thereby a large dot is formed on the medium P.
  • the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the medium dot” has a waveform in which the trapezoid waveform Adp 1 and the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 are continuous in the period Ta.
  • the driving signal VOUT is supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60 , the medium amount of the ink and the small amount of the ink are discharged from the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60 , in the period Ta.
  • the inks are landed on the medium P and are coalesced, and thereby a medium dot is formed on the medium P.
  • the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the small dot” has the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 in the period Ta.
  • the driving signal VOUT is supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60 , the small amount of the ink is discharged from the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60 , in the period Ta.
  • the inks are landed on the medium P, and thereby a small dot is formed on the medium P.
  • the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “non-recording” has the trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 in the period Ta.
  • the driving signal VOUT is supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60 , in the period Ta, only the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening portion of the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60 finely vibrates, and the ink is not discharged. Therefore, the ink is not landed on the medium P, and a dot is not formed on the medium P.
  • the voltage Vc just before is held at the one end of the piezoelectric element 60 by a capacitive component of the piezoelectric element 60 . That is, when neither driving signals COMA nor COMB is selected, the voltage Vc is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 as the driving signal VOUT.
  • the driving signals COMA and COMB and the driving signal VOUT illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 are just examples. Signals having various combinations of waveforms may be used in accordance with a moving speed of the carriage 20 in which the liquid discharge head 21 is mounted, the physical properties of the ink to be discharged, the material of the medium P, and the like.
  • the driving signal COMA and the driving signal COMB may be signals having a waveform in which the same trapezoid waveforms are continuous.
  • the driving signals COMA and COMB are an example of the driving signal.
  • the driving signal VOUT generated by selecting or not selecting the waveforms of the driving signals COMA and COMB is also an example of the driving signal in a broad sense.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the driving signal selection circuit 200 .
  • the driving signal selection circuit 200 includes a selection control circuit 220 and a plurality of selection circuits 230 .
  • the print data signal SI, the latch signal LAT, the change signals CHa and CHb, and the clock signal SCK are input to the selection control circuit 220 .
  • a set of a shift register (S/R) 222 , a latch circuit 224 , and a decoder 226 is provided in the selection control circuit 220 to correspond to each of the plurality of discharge sections 600 . That is, the driving signal selection circuit 200 includes sets of shift registers 222 , latch circuits 224 , and decoders 226 . The number of sets is equal to the total number m of the corresponding discharge sections 600 .
  • the print data signal SI is a signal for defining a waveform selection between the driving signal COMA and the driving signal COMB.
  • the print data signal SI is a signal synchronized with the clock signal SCK.
  • the print data signal SI is a signal which has 2m bits in total and includes 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] for selecting any of “the large dot”, “the medium dot”, “the small dot”, and “non-recording” for each of m pieces of discharge sections 600 .
  • each 2-bit print data [SIR, SIL] which corresponds to the discharge section 600 and is included in the print data signal SI is held in the shift register 222 .
  • the shift registers 222 from the first stage to the m-th stage, which correspond to the discharge sections 600 are cascade-coupled to each other, and the print data signal SI supplied in a serial manner is sequentially transferred to the subsequent stages in accordance with the clock signal SCK.
  • the shift registers 222 are described as being the first stage, the second stage, . . . , and the m-th stage in order from the upstream on which the print data signal SI is supplied.
  • Each of the m pieces of latch circuits 224 latches the 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] held in each of the m pieces of shift registers 222 , at a rising edge of the latch signal LAT.
  • Each of the m pieces of decoders 226 decodes the 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] latched by each of the m pieces of latch circuits 224 .
  • the decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S 1 for each of the periods T 1 and T 2 defined by the latch signal LAT and the change signal CHa, and outputs a selection signal S 2 for each of the periods T 3 and T 4 defined by the latch signal LAT and the change signal CHb.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating decoding contents in the decoder 226 .
  • the decoder 226 outputs the selection signals S 1 and S 2 in accordance with the 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] latched by the latch circuit 224 .
  • the decoder 226 sets a logical level of the selection signal S 1 to respectively be an H level and an L level in the periods T 1 and T 2 and sets a logical level of the selection signal S 2 to respectively be an L level and an H level in the periods T 3 and T 4 .
  • the logical levels of the selection signals S 1 and S 2 are subject to level shift to a high amplitude logic level based on the voltage VHV by a level shifter (not illustrated).
  • the selection circuits 230 are provided to correspond to the discharge sections 600 , respectively. That is, the number of selection circuits 230 of the driving signal selection circuit 200 is equal to the total number m of the corresponding discharge sections 600 .
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the selection circuit 230 corresponding to one discharge section 600 .
  • the selection circuit 230 includes inverters 232 a and 232 b being NOT circuits, and transfer gates 234 a and 234 b.
  • the selection signal S 1 is supplied to a positive control end of the transfer gate 234 a , which is not marked with a circle, but is logically inverted by the inverter 232 a and is supplied to a negative control end of the transfer gate 234 a , which is marked with a circle.
  • the selection signal S 2 is supplied to a positive control end of the transfer gate 234 b , but is logically inverted by the inverter 232 b and is supplied to a negative control end of the transfer gate 234 b.
  • the driving signal COMA is supplied to an input end of the transfer gate 234 a .
  • the driving signal COMB is supplied to an input end of the transfer gate 234 b .
  • Output ends of the transfer gates 234 a and 234 b are commonly coupled to each other, and the driving signal VOUT is output to the discharge section 600 through the commonly-coupled terminals.
  • the transfer gate 234 a electrically connects the input end and an output end when the selection signal S 1 has an H level, and does not electrically connect the input end and the output end when the selection signal S 1 has an L level.
  • the transfer gate 234 b electrically connects the input end and an output end when the selection signal S 2 has an H level, and does not electrically connect the input end and the output end when the selection signal S 2 has an L level.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the driving signal selection circuit 200 .
  • the print data signal SI is serially supplied in synchronization with the clock signal SCK and is sequentially transferred into the shift registers 222 corresponding to the discharge sections 600 . If the supply of the clock signal SCK stops, the 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] corresponding to each of the discharge sections 600 is held in each of the shift registers 222 .
  • the print data signal S 1 is supplied in order of the discharge sections 600 corresponding to the m-th stage, . . . , the second stage, and the first stage of the shift registers 222 .
  • the latch circuits 224 simultaneously latch the 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] held by the shift registers 222 .
  • LT 1 , LT 2 , . . . , and LTm indicate the 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] latched by the latch circuits 224 respectively corresponding to the first stage, the second stage, . . . , and the m-th stage of the shift registers 222 .
  • the decoder 226 outputs the logical levels of the selection signals S 1 and S 2 in each of the periods T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , and T 4 with the contents as illustrated in FIG. 6 , in accordance with the size of a dot defined by the latched 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL].
  • the decoder 226 sets the selection signal S 1 to have an H level and an H level in the periods T 1 and T 2 , and sets the selection signal S 2 to have an L level and an L level in the periods T 3 and T 4 .
  • the selection circuit 230 selects the trapezoid waveform Adp 1 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T 1 , selects the trapezoid waveform Adp 2 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T 2 , does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T 3 , and does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T 4 .
  • the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the large dot” illustrated in FIG. 4 is generated.
  • the decoder 226 sets the selection signal S 1 to have an H level and an L level in the periods T 1 and T 2 , and sets the selection signal S 2 to have an L level and an H level in the periods T 3 and T 4 .
  • the selection circuit 230 selects the trapezoid waveform Adp 1 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T 1 , does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp 2 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T 2 , does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T 3 , and selects the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T 4 .
  • the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the medium dot” illustrated in FIG. 4 is generated.
  • the decoder 226 sets the selection signal S 1 to have an L level and an L level in the periods T 1 and T 2 , and sets the selection signal S 2 to have an L level and an H level in the periods T 3 and T 4 .
  • the selection circuit 230 does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp 1 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T 1 , does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp 2 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T 2 , does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T 3 , and selects the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T 4 .
  • the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the small dot” illustrated in FIG. 4 is generated.
  • the decoder 226 sets the selection signal S 1 to have an L level and an L level in the periods T 1 and T 2 , and sets the selection signal S 2 to have an H level and an L level in the periods T 3 and T 4 .
  • the selection circuit 230 does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp 1 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T 1 , does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp 2 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T 2 , selects the trapezoid waveform Bdp 1 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T 3 , and does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp 2 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T 4 .
  • the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “non-recording” illustrated in FIG. 4 is generated.
  • the liquid discharge head 21 includes twelve driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - 12 . That is, twelve print data signals SD to SI 12 , twelve driving signals COMA 1 to COMA 12 and COMB 1 to COMB 12 , and twelve voltages VBS 1 to VBS 12 , which respectively correspond to the twelve driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - 12 , are input to the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the control mechanism 10 includes twelve driving signal output circuits 50 - 1 to 50 - 12 which respectively correspond to the twelve driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - 12 .
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the liquid discharge apparatus 1 when viewed from the Y-direction.
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 includes a main substrate 11 , the liquid discharge head 21 , and a plurality of cables 19 for electrically coupling the main substrate 11 and the liquid discharge head 21 to each other.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 Various circuits including the conversion circuit 70 , the driving signal output circuits 50 - 1 to 50 - 12 , the first power source voltage output circuit 51 , the second power source voltage output circuit 52 , and the control circuit 100 provided in the control mechanism 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are mounted on the main substrate 11 .
  • a plurality of connectors 12 to which one ends of the plurality of cables 19 are respectively attached are mounted on the main substrate 11 .
  • FIG. 9 illustrates one circuit substrate as the main substrate 11 .
  • the main substrate 11 may be configured by two circuit substrates or more.
  • the liquid discharge head 21 includes a head 310 , a head substrate 320 , and a plurality of connectors 350 .
  • the other ends of the plurality of cables 19 are attached to the plurality of connectors 350 , respectively.
  • various signals generated by the control mechanism 10 provided on the main substrate 11 are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the plurality of cables 19 . Details of the configuration of the liquid discharge head 21 and details of signals propagated in the plurality of cables 19 will be described later.
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 configured in a manner as described above controls the operation of the liquid discharge head 21 based on various signals including the driving signals COMA 1 to COMA 12 and COMB 1 to COMB 12 , the voltages VBS 1 to VBS 12 , the differential clock signal dSCK, the differential print data signals dSI 1 to dSI 12 , the base latch signal oLAT, the base change signals oCHa and oCHb, and the diagnosis signals DIG 1 to DIG 4 , which are output from the control mechanism 10 mounted on the main substrate 11 . That is, in the liquid discharge apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG.
  • a configuration including the control mechanism 10 that outputs various signals for controlling the operation of the liquid discharge head 21 and the plurality of cables 19 for propagating the various signals for controlling the operation of the liquid discharge head 21 is an example of the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 that has a function to perform self-diagnosis and controls the operation of the liquid discharge head 21 that discharges the ink from nozzles 651 .
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the cable 19 .
  • the cable 19 has a substantially rectangular shape having short sides 191 and 192 facing each other and long sides 193 and 194 facing each other.
  • the cable 19 is a flexible flat cable (FFC).
  • the cable 19 includes a plurality of terminals 195 arranged in parallel along the short side 191 , a plurality of terminals 196 arranged in parallel along the short side 192 , and a plurality of wirings 197 that electrically couple the plurality of terminals 195 and the plurality of terminals 196 to each other.
  • p pieces of terminals 195 are arranged in parallel from the long side 193 toward the long side 194 , on the short side 191 side of the cable 19 in order of the terminals 195 - 1 to 195 - p .
  • p pieces of terminals 196 are arranged in parallel from the long side 193 toward the long side 194 , on the short side 192 side of the cable 19 in order of the terminals 196 - 1 to 196 - p .
  • p pieces of wirings 197 that electrically and respectively couple the terminals 195 and the terminals 196 to each other are arranged in parallel from the long side 193 toward the long side 194 in order of the wirings 197 - 1 to 197 - p .
  • the wiring 197 - 1 electrically couples the terminal 195 - 1 and the terminal 196 - 1 to each other.
  • the wiring 197 - j (j is any of 1 to p) electrically couples the terminal 195 - j and the terminal 196 - j to each other.
  • the cable 19 configured as described above is used for propagating a signal input from the terminal 195 - j in the wiring 197 - j and outputting the signal from the terminal 196 - j .
  • the plurality of wirings 197 in the cable 19 are coated with an insulator 198 .
  • the plurality of wirings 197 are insulated from each other.
  • the configuration of the cable 19 illustrated in FIG. 10 is an example and is not limited thereto.
  • the plurality of terminals 195 and the plurality of terminals 196 may be provided on different surfaces of the cable 19 .
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the liquid discharge head 21 includes the head 310 and the head substrate 320 .
  • the head substrate 320 has a surface 321 and a surface 322 different from the surface 321 .
  • the plurality of connectors 350 are provided on the surface 322 of the head substrate 320 .
  • the head 310 is provided on the surface 321 side of the head substrate 320 .
  • An ink discharge surface 311 on which the plurality of discharge sections 600 are formed is located on a lower surface of the head 310 in the Z-direction.
  • FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of the ink discharge surface 311 .
  • twelve nozzle plates 632 are provided on the ink discharge surface 311 .
  • the nozzle plate 632 has nozzles 651 provided in the plurality of discharge sections 600 .
  • Nozzle lines L 1 a to L 1 f and L 2 a to L 2 f are formed in each of the nozzle plates 632 .
  • the nozzles 651 are arranged side by side in the Y-direction.
  • the nozzle lines L 1 a to L 1 f are provided to be arranged from the right to the left in FIG. 12 in the X-direction in order of the nozzle lines L 1 a , L 1 b , L 1 c , L 1 d , L 1 e , and L 1 f .
  • the nozzle lines L 2 a to L 2 f are provided to be arranged from the left to the right in FIG. 12 in the X-direction in order of the nozzle lines L 2 a , L 2 b , L 2 c , L 2 d , L 2 e , and L 2 f .
  • the nozzle lines L 1 a to L 1 f and the nozzle lines L 2 a to L 2 f provided to be arranged in the X-direction are provided such that two lines are arranged side by side in the Y-direction. That is, the nozzle lines L 1 a to L 1 f and the nozzle lines L 2 a to L 2 f in which the plurality of nozzles 651 are formed in the Y-direction are formed in the ink discharge surface 311 in two lines in the X-direction.
  • the nozzles 651 are provided to be arranged in one line in the Y-direction in each of the nozzle lines L 1 a to L 1 f and L 2 a to L 2 f .
  • the nozzles 651 may be provided to be arranged in two lines or more in the Y-direction.
  • the nozzle lines L 1 a to L 1 f and L 2 a to L 2 f correspond to the driving signal selection circuits 200 , respectively.
  • the driving signal selection circuit 200 - 1 corresponds to the nozzle line L 1 a .
  • the driving signal VOUT 1 output by the driving signal selection circuit 200 - 1 is supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60 in a plurality of discharge sections 600 provided in the nozzle line L 1 a .
  • the voltage VBS 1 is supplied to the other end of this piezoelectric element 60 .
  • nozzle lines L 1 b to L 1 f correspond to the driving signal selection circuit 200 - 2 to 200 - 6 , respectively.
  • the driving signals VOUT 2 to VOUT 6 and the voltages VBS 2 to VBS 6 are supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200 - 2 to 200 - 6 , respectively.
  • the nozzle lines L 2 a to L 2 f correspond to the driving signal selection circuit 200 - 7 to 200 - 12 , respectively.
  • the driving signals VOUT 7 to VOUT 12 and the voltages VBS 7 to VBS 12 are supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200 - 7 to 200 - 12 , respectively.
  • FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of one of the plurality of discharge sections 600 in the head 310 .
  • the head 310 includes the discharge section 600 and a reservoir 641 .
  • the reservoir 641 is provided to correspond to each of the nozzle lines L 1 a to L 1 f and L 2 a to L 2 f .
  • the ink is supplied from an ink supply port 661 into the reservoir 641 .
  • the discharge section 600 includes the piezoelectric element 60 , a vibration plate 621 , a cavity 631 , and the nozzle 651 .
  • the vibration plate 621 deforms by displacement of the piezoelectric element 60 provided on an upper surface in FIG. 13 .
  • the vibration plate 621 functions as a diaphragm of increasing and reducing the internal volume of the cavity 631 .
  • the cavity 631 is filled with the ink.
  • the cavity 631 functions as a pressure chamber having an internal volume which changes by the displacement of the piezoelectric element 60 .
  • the nozzle 651 is an opening portion which is formed in the nozzle plate 632 and communicates with the cavity 631 .
  • the ink stored in the cavity 631 is discharged from the nozzle 651 by the change of the internal volume of the cavity 631 .
  • the piezoelectric element 60 has a structure in which a piezoelectric substance 601 is interposed between a pair of electrodes 611 and 612 .
  • the central portions of the electrodes 611 and 612 and the vibration plate 621 bend with respect to both end portions thereof in an up-and-down direction in FIG. 13 , in accordance with a voltage supplied to the electrodes 611 and 612 .
  • the driving signal VOUT is supplied to the electrode 611 as one end, and the voltage VBS is supplied to the electrode 612 as the other end. If the voltage of the driving signal VOUT is high, the central portion of the piezoelectric element 60 bends upward.
  • the piezoelectric element 60 drives by the driving signal VOUT based on the driving signals COMA and COMB.
  • the piezoelectric element 60 drives by the driving signal VOUT based on the driving signals COMA 1 to COMAn and COMB 1 to COMBn, and thereby the ink is discharged from the nozzle 651 .
  • the piezoelectric element 60 is not limited to the structure illustrated in FIG. 13 . Any type may be provided so long as the piezoelectric element is capable of discharging the ink with the displacement of the piezoelectric element 60 .
  • the piezoelectric element 60 is not limited to flexural vibration, and may be configured to use longitudinal vibration.
  • FIG. 14 is a plan view when the head substrate 320 is viewed from the surface 321 .
  • the head substrate 320 has a substantially rectangular shape formed by a side 323 , a side 324 (facing the side 323 in the X-direction), a side 325 , and a side 326 (facing the side 325 in the Y-direction).
  • the shape of the head substrate 320 is not limited to a rectangle.
  • the shape of the head substrate 320 may be a polygon such as a hexagon or an octagon, or may have a shape in which a notch or an arc is formed.
  • the head substrate 320 has the side 323 , the side 324 different from the side 323 , the side 325 intersecting with the side 323 and the side 324 , and the side 326 which intersects with the side 323 and the side 324 and is different from the side 325 .
  • the sides 325 and 326 intersecting with the sides 323 and 324 includes a case where a virtual extension line of the side 325 intersects with a virtual extension line of the side 323 and a virtual extension line of the side 324 , and a virtual extension line of the side 326 intersects with a virtual extension line of the side 323 and a virtual extension line of the side 324 .
  • FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f , electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f , and the plurality of connectors 350 are provided in the head substrate 320 .
  • Each of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f includes a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in the Y-direction.
  • the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f are provided to be arranged from the side 324 toward the side 323 along the side 326 in order of the electrode groups 332 a , 332 b , 332 c , 332 d , 332 e , and 332 f .
  • the electrode groups 342 a to 342 f are provided to be arranged from the side 323 toward the side 324 along the side 325 in order of the electrode groups 342 a , 342 b , 342 c , 342 d , 342 e , and 342 f .
  • a flexible printed circuit (FPC) (not illustrated) is electrically coupled to each of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f provided in a manner as described above.
  • the FPC coupled to the electrode group 332 a propagates various signals supplied to the electrode group 332 a to the driving signal selection circuit 200 - 1 . That is, various control signals for controlling an operation of the nozzle line L 1 a are supplied to the electrode group 332 a .
  • the FPC coupled to the electrode groups 332 b to 332 f propagates various signals supplied to the electrode groups 332 b to 332 f to the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 2 to 200 - 6 , respectively. That is, various control signals for controlling operations of the nozzle lines L 1 b to L 1 f are supplied to the electrode groups 332 b to 332 f , respectively.
  • the FPC coupled to the electrode groups 342 a to 342 f propagates various signals supplied to the electrode groups 342 a to 342 f to the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 7 to 200 - 12 , respectively. That is, various control signals for controlling operations of the nozzle lines L 2 a to L 2 f are supplied to the electrode groups 342 a to 342 f , respectively.
  • the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f are through-holes penetrating the surface 321 and the surface 322 of the head substrate 320 .
  • FPCs which are electrically coupled to the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f is inserted into the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f , respectively.
  • the FPC insertion hole 331 a is provided between the electrode group 332 a and the electrode group 332 b .
  • the FPC insertion hole 331 b is provided between the electrode group 332 b and the electrode group 332 c .
  • the FPC insertion hole 331 c is provided between the electrode group 332 c and the electrode group 332 d .
  • the FPC insertion hole 331 d is provided between the electrode group 332 d and the electrode group 332 e .
  • the FPC insertion hole 331 e is provided between the electrode group 332 e and the electrode group 332 f .
  • the FPC insertion hole 331 f is provided on the side 323 side of the electrode group 332 f .
  • the FPCs which are electrically coupled to the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f are inserted into the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f , respectively.
  • the FPC insertion hole 341 a is provided between the electrode group 342 a and the electrode group 342 b .
  • the FPC insertion hole 341 b is provided between the electrode group 342 b and the electrode group 342 c .
  • the FPC insertion hole 341 c is provided between the electrode group 342 c and the electrode group 342 d .
  • the FPC insertion hole 341 d is provided between the electrode group 342 d and the electrode group 342 e .
  • the FPC insertion hole 341 e is provided between the electrode group 342 e and the electrode group 342 f
  • the FPC insertion hole 341 f is provided on the side 324 side of the electrode group 342 f
  • the FPCs which are electrically coupled to the electrode groups 342 a to 342 f are inserted into the FPC insertion holes 341 a to 341 f , respectively.
  • the connectors 350 a to 350 d among the plurality of connectors 350 are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f , respectively.
  • the connectors 350 e to 350 h among the plurality of connectors 350 are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f.
  • FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the connector 350 .
  • the connector 350 includes a housing 351 , a cable attachment portion 352 formed in the housing 351 , and p pieces of terminals 353 arranged in parallel.
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 arranged in parallel in the connector 350 are referred to as terminals 353 - 1 , 353 - 2 , . . . , and 353 - p in order from the left toward the right in FIG. 15 .
  • the cable 19 is attached to the plurality of connectors 350 configured in a manner as described above. Specifically, the cable 19 is attached to the cable attachment portion 352 of the connector 350 . In this case, the terminals 196 - 1 to 196 - p of the cable 19 illustrated in FIG. 11 are electrically coupled to the terminal 353 - 1 to 353 - p of the connector 350 , respectively. Thus, various signals propagated in the wirings 197 - 1 to 197 - p of the cable 19 are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 .
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a specific example when the cable 19 is attached to the connector 350 .
  • the terminal 353 of the connector 350 has a substrate attachment portion 354 , a housing insertion portion 355 , and a cable holding portion 356 .
  • the substrate attachment portion 354 is located at a lower portion of the connector 350 and is provided between the housing 351 and the head substrate 320 .
  • the substrate attachment portion 354 is electrically coupled to an electrode (not illustrated) provided on the head substrate 320 , by a solder, for example.
  • the housing insertion portion 355 is inserted into the housing 351 .
  • the housing insertion portion 355 electrically couples the substrate attachment portion 354 to the cable holding portion 356 .
  • the cable holding portion 356 has a curved shape that protrudes toward the inside of the cable attachment portion 352 .
  • the cable holding portion 356 and the terminal 196 electrically come into contact with each other via a contact portion 180 .
  • the cable 19 is electrically coupled to the connector 350 and the head substrate 320 .
  • stress is applied to the curved shape formed at the cable holding portion 356 . With the stress, the cable 19 is held in the cable attachment portion 352 .
  • FIG. 10 illustrates contact portions 180 - 1 to 180 - p at which the terminals 196 - 1 to 196 - p are electrically in contact with the terminal 353 of the connector 350 , respectively.
  • the terminal 195 - k in the cable 19 is electrically coupled to the connector 12
  • the terminal 196 - k is electrically coupled to the connector 350 through the contact portion 180 - k.
  • the housing 351 in the connector 350 a is referred to as a housing 351 a
  • the cable attachment portion 352 in the connector 350 a is referred to as a cable attachment portion 352 a
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 in the connector 350 a is referred to as p pieces of terminals 353 a
  • the p pieces of the terminals 353 a are referred to as terminals 353 a - 1 to 353 a - p .
  • the housing 351 in the connectors 350 b to 350 h is referred to as housings 351 b to 351 h .
  • the cable attachment portion 352 in the connectors 350 b to 350 h is referred to as cable attachment portions 352 b to 352 h .
  • the p pieces of terminal 353 in the connectors 350 b to 350 h is referred to as p pieces of terminals 353 b to 353 h .
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 b are referred as terminals 353 b - 1 to 353 b - p .
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 c are referred as terminals 353 c - 1 to 353 c - p .
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 d are referred as terminals 353 d - 1 to 353 d - p .
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 e are referred as terminals 353 e - 1 to 353 e - p .
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 f are referred as terminals 353 f - 1 to 353 f - p .
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 g are referred as terminals 353 g - 1 to 353 g - p .
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 h are referred as terminals 353 h - 1 to 353 h - p.
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 a are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f , so as to be arranged from the side 325 toward the side 326 along the side 324 in order of the terminals 353 a - 1 , 353 a - 2 , . . . , and 353 a - p.
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 b are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f and on the side 323 side of the connector 350 a , so as to be arranged from the side 326 toward the side 325 along the side 324 in order of the terminals 353 b - 1 , 353 b - 2 , . . . , and 353 b - p.
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 c are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f and on the side 325 side of the connector 350 a , so as to be arranged from the side 325 toward the side 326 along the side 324 in order of the terminals 353 c - 1 , 353 c - 2 , . . . , and 353 c - p.
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 d are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f and on the side 323 side of the connector 350 c , so as to be arranged from the side 326 toward the side 325 along the side 324 in order of the terminals 353 d - 1 , 353 d - 2 , . . . , and 353 d - p.
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 e are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f , so as to be arranged from the side 326 toward the side 325 along the side 323 in order of the terminals 353 e - 1 , 353 e - 2 , . . . , and 353 e - p.
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 f are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f and on the side 324 side of the connector 350 e , so as to be arranged from the side 325 toward the side 326 along the side 323 in order of the terminals 353 f - 1 , 353 f - 2 , . . . , and 353 f - p.
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 g are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f and on the side 325 side of the connector 350 a , so as to be arranged from the side 326 toward the side 325 along the side 323 in order of the terminals 353 g - 1 , 353 g - 2 , . . . , and 353 g - p.
  • the p pieces of terminals 353 h are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f and the FPC insertion holes 331 a to 331 f and 341 a to 341 f and on the side 324 side of the connector 350 g , so as to be arranged from the side 325 toward the side 326 along the side 323 in order of the terminals 353 h - 1 , 353 h - 2 , . . . , and 353 h - p.
  • Various signals for controlling the liquid discharge head 21 are supplied to the head substrate 320 configured in a manner as described above, through the plurality of cables 19 which are electrically and respectively coupled to the connectors 350 a to 350 h .
  • the various signals supplied to the liquid discharge head 21 are propagated in a wiring pattern (not illustrated) provided in the head substrate 320 , and then are input to the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f .
  • the various signals are supplied to the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - 12 through the FPCs coupled to the electrode groups 332 a to 332 f and 342 a to 342 f , respectively.
  • the piezoelectric element 60 in each of the nozzle lines L 1 a to L 1 f and L 2 a to L 2 f drives at a desired timing, and thus an ink having an amount depending on the driving of the piezoelectric element 60 is discharged from the nozzle 651 .
  • the integrated circuit which is illustrated in FIG. 2 and constitutes the restoration circuit 130 and the diagnostic circuit 240 is mounted on any of the surfaces 322 and 321 of the head substrate 320 , in the head 310 , or on an FPC in a manner of chip-on-film (COF).
  • the integrated circuit constituting each of the driving signal selection circuits 200 - 1 to 200 - 6 may be provided in the head 310 or on an FPC in a manner of COF.
  • the cable 19 coupled to the connector 350 a is referred to as a cable 19 a .
  • a terminal 196 a - j (j is any of 1 to p) of the cable 19 a is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 a - j of the connector 350 a through a contact portion 180 a - j .
  • the cable 19 coupled to the connectors 350 b to 350 h is referred to as cables 19 b to 19 h .
  • a terminal 196 b - j of the cable 19 b is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 b - j of the connector 350 b through a contact portion 180 b - j .
  • a terminal 196 c - j of the cable 19 c is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 c - j of the connector 350 c through a contact portion 180 c - j .
  • a terminal 196 d - j of the cable 19 d is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 d - j of the connector 350 d through a contact portion 180 d - j .
  • a terminal 196 e - j of the cable 19 e is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 e - j of the connector 350 e through a contact portion 180 e - j .
  • a terminal 196 f - j of the cable 19 f is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 f - j of the connector 350 f through a contact portion 180 f - j .
  • a terminal 196 g - j of the cable 19 g is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 g - j of the connector 350 g through a contact portion 180 g - j .
  • a terminal 196 h - j of the cable 19 h is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 h - j of the connector 350 h through a contact portion 180 h - j.
  • the liquid discharge head 21 includes a terminal 353 b - 19 electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit 200 and terminals 353 b - 3 , 353 b - 6 , 353 b - 4 , and 353 b - 5 which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit 130 .
  • the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 includes a wiring 197 b - 19 for propagating the ground signal GND 1 to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200 , wirings 197 b - 3 and 197 b - 6 for propagating the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 , a wiring 197 b - 4 for propagating one signal dDIG 1 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 , and a wiring 197 b - 5 for propagating the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 19 and the terminal 353 b - 19 are electrically in contact with each other at a contact portion 180 b - 19 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 3 and the terminal 353 b - 3 are electrically in contact with each other at a contact portion 180 b - 3 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 6 and the terminal 353 b - 6 are electrically in contact with each other at a contact portion 180 b - 6 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 4 are electrically in contact with each other at a contact portion 180 b - 4 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 5 and the terminal 353 b - 5 are electrically in contact with each other at a contact portion 180 b - 5 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 4 and the wiring 197 b - 5 are disposed to be arranged side by side.
  • the wiring 197 b - 4 and the wiring 197 b - 3 are located to be adjacent to each other
  • the wiring 197 b - 5 and the wiring 197 b - 6 are located to be adjacent to each other
  • the wiring 197 b - 4 and the wiring 197 b - 5 are located between the wiring 197 b - 3 and the wiring 197 b - 6 .
  • the wirings 197 b - 3 , 197 b - 4 , 197 b - 5 , and 197 b - 6 are provided in the same cable 19 b .
  • the wiring 197 b - 4 and the wiring 197 b - 3 are located to be adjacent to each other.
  • the wiring 197 b - 5 and the wiring 197 b - 6 are located to be adjacent to each other.
  • the wiring 197 b - 4 and the wiring 197 b - 5 are located between the wiring 197 b - 3 and the wiring 197 b - 6 .
  • the phrase of being located to be adjacent includes a case where the wiring and the wiring are located to be adjacent to each other through the insulator 198 , a space, or the like.
  • the wirings 197 b - 3 , 197 b - 4 , 197 b - 5 , and 197 b - 6 are provided in the same cable 19 b in order of the wirings 197 b - 3 , 197 b - 4 , 197 b - 5 , and 197 b - 6 .
  • the terminal 353 b - 4 to which the signal dSCK+ is input and the terminal 353 b - 5 to which the signal dSCK ⁇ is input are disposed to be arranged side by side.
  • the terminal 353 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 3 are located to be adjacent to each other
  • the terminal 353 b - 5 and the terminal 353 b - 6 are located to be adjacent to each other
  • the terminal 353 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 5 are located between the terminal 353 b - 3 and the terminal 353 b - 6 .
  • the terminals 353 b - 3 , 353 b - 4 , 353 b - 5 , and 353 b - 6 are provided in the same connector 350 b .
  • the terminal 353 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 3 are located to be adjacent to each other.
  • the terminal 353 b - 5 and the terminal 353 b - 6 are located to be adjacent to each other.
  • the terminal 353 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 5 are located between the terminal 353 b - 3 and the terminal 353 b - 6 .
  • the phrase of being located to be adjacent includes a case where the terminal 353 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 3 , and the terminal 353 b - 5 and the terminal 353 b - 6 in the connector 350 are located to be adjacent to each other through, for example, an insulator such as the housing 351 or an internal space of the cable attachment portion 352 .
  • the terminals 353 b - 3 , 353 b - 4 , 353 b - 5 , and 353 b - 6 are provided in the same connector 350 b in order of the terminals 353 b - 3 , 353 b - 4 , 353 b - 5 , and 353 b - 6 .
  • the contact portion 180 b - 4 and the contact portion 180 b - 5 are disposed to be arranged side by side.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 4 and the contact portion 180 b - 3 are located to be adjacent to each other
  • the contact portion 180 b - 5 and the contact portion 180 b - 6 are located to be adjacent to each other
  • the contact portion 180 b - 4 and the contact portion 180 b - 5 are located between the contact portion 180 b - 3 and the contact portion 180 b - 6 .
  • the contact portions 180 b - 3 , 180 b - 4 , 180 b - 5 , and 180 b - 6 are included in a plurality of contact portions 180 b at which the cable 19 b and the connector 350 b are electrically in contact with each other.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 4 and the contact portion 180 b - 3 are located to be adjacent to each other.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 5 and the contact portion 180 b - 6 are located to be adjacent to each other.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 4 and the contact portion 180 b - 5 are located between the contact portion 180 b - 3 and the contact portion 180 b - 6 .
  • the phrase of being located to be adjacent includes a case where, at the plurality of contact portions 180 b at which the cable 19 b and the connector 350 b are electrically in contact with each other, the contact portion 180 b - 4 and the contact portion 180 b - 3 , and the contact portion 180 b - 5 and the contact portion 180 b - 6 are located to be adjacent to each other through a space and the like.
  • the contact portions 180 b - 3 , 180 b - 4 , 180 b - 5 , and 180 b - 6 are provided in the plurality of contact portions 180 b at which the cable 19 b and the connector 350 b are electrically in contact with each other, in order of the contact portions 180 b - 3 , 180 b - 4 , 180 b - 5 , and 180 b - 6 .
  • the terminal 353 b - 19 is an example of a first terminal.
  • the terminal 353 b - 3 is an example of a second terminal.
  • the terminal 353 b - 6 is an example of a third terminal.
  • the terminal 353 b - 4 is an example of a fourth terminal.
  • the terminal 353 b - 5 is an example of a fifth terminal.
  • the wiring 197 b - 19 is an example of a first wiring.
  • the wiring 197 b - 3 is an example of a second wiring.
  • the wiring 197 b - 6 is an example of a third wiring.
  • the wiring 197 b - 4 is an example of a fourth wiring.
  • the wiring 197 b - 5 is an example of a fifth wiring.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 19 is an example of a first contact portion.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 3 is an example of a second contact portion.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 6 is an example of a third contact portion.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 4 is an example of a fourth contact portion.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 5 is an example of a fifth contact portion.
  • FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 a and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 a .
  • the cable 19 a is used for propagating a plurality of control signals including the ground signal GND 1 and the voltage VHV to be supplied to the plurality of driving signal selection circuits 200 .
  • the plurality of control signals propagated in the cable 19 a are supplied to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 a.
  • the ground signal GND 1 is propagated in each of the wirings 197 a - 2 and 197 a - 4 to 197 a - 19 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180 a - 2 and 180 a - 4 to 180 a - 19 and each of the connectors 350 a - 3 and 350 a - 4 to 350 a - 19 .
  • the voltage VHV is propagated in the wiring 197 a - 1 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 a - 1 and the connector 350 a - 1 .
  • the voltage VDD is propagated in each of the wirings 197 a - 20 to 197 a - 23 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180 a - 20 to 180 a - 23 and each of the connectors 350 a - 20 to 350 a - 23 .
  • the ground signal GND 1 is an example of a first reference voltage signal.
  • the cable 19 a is used for propagating a plurality of control signals such as a signal XHOT indicating temperature abnormality of the liquid discharge head 21 and a signal TH indicating temperature information of the liquid discharge head 21 , between the liquid discharge head 21 and the control mechanism 10 .
  • FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 b .
  • the cable 19 b is used for propagating the differential signal including the differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and dDIG 2 , the differential clock signal dSCK and the differential print data signals dSI 1 to dSI 6 , and the single-ended signal including the base diagnosis signals oDIG 3 and oDIG 4 , the base latch signal oLAT, the base change signals oCHa and oCHb, and the ground signals GND 1 and GND 2 .
  • the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 4 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 4 in the connector 350 b .
  • the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 5 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 5 and the terminal 353 b - 5 in the connector 350 b.
  • the one signal dDIG 2 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 2 is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 7 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 7 and the terminal 353 b - 7 in the connector 350 b .
  • the other signal dDIG 2 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 2 is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 8 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 8 and the terminal 353 b - 8 in the connector 350 b.
  • the base diagnosis signal oDIG 3 is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 20 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 20 and the terminal 353 b - 20 in the connector 350 b .
  • the base diagnosis signal oDIG 4 is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 22 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 22 and the terminal 353 b - 22 in the connector 350 b .
  • the wiring 197 b - 20 is an example of a seventh wiring.
  • the terminal 353 b - 20 is an example of a seventh terminal.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 20 at which the wiring 197 b - 20 and the terminal 353 b - 20 are electrically in contact with each other is an example of a seventh contact portion.
  • the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 4 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 4 in the connector 350 b .
  • the other signal dSCK ⁇ in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 5 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 5 and the terminal 353 b - 5 of the connector 350 b.
  • the wiring 197 b - 4 is used as the wiring for propagating the one signal dDIG 1 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and as the wiring for propagating the one signal dSCK+ of the pair of differential clock signals dSCK.
  • the wiring 197 b - 5 is used as the wiring for propagating the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and as the wiring for propagating the other signal dSCK ⁇ of the pair of differential clock signals dSCK.
  • the terminal 353 b - 4 is used as the terminal to which the one signal dDIG 1 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 is supplied and as the terminal to which the one signal dSCK+ of the pair of differential clock signals dSCK is supplied.
  • the terminal 353 b - 5 is used as the terminal to which the other signal dSCK ⁇ of the pair of differential clock signals dSCK is supplied, and as the terminal to which the other signal dSCK ⁇ of the pair of differential clock signals dSCK is supplied.
  • the one signal dSI 1 + in the differential print data signal dSI 1 is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 7 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 7 and the terminal 353 b - 7 in the connector 350 b .
  • the other signal dSI 1 ⁇ in the differential print data signal dSI 1 is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 8 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 8 and the terminal 353 b - 8 in the connector 350 b.
  • the wiring 197 b - 7 is used as the wiring for propagating the one signal dDIG 2 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 2 and as the wiring for propagating the one signal dSI 1 + of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 8 is used as the wiring for propagating the other signal dDIG 2 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 2 and as the wiring for propagating the other signal dSI 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 .
  • the terminal 353 b - 7 is used as the terminal to which the one signal dDIG 2 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 2 is supplied and as the terminal to which the one signal dSI 1 + of the pair of differential print data signals dSIS 1 is supplied.
  • the terminal 353 b - 8 is used as the terminal to which the other signal dDIG 2 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 2 is supplied, and as the terminal to which the other signal dSI 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 is supplied.
  • the differential print data signals dSI 2 to dSI 6 are propagated in the wirings 197 b - 9 to 197 b - 18 of the cable 19 b and are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 b - 9 to 180 b - 18 and the terminals 353 b - 9 to 353 b - 18 in the connector 350 b , respectively.
  • the one signals dSI 2 +, dSI 3 +, dSI 4 +, dSI 5 +, and dSI 6 + of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 2 to dSI 6 are propagated in the wirings 197 b - 9 , 197 b - 11 , 197 b - 13 , 197 b - 15 , and 197 b - 17 and are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 b - 9 , 180 b - 11 , 180 b - 13 , 180 b - 15 , and 180 b - 17 and the terminals 353 b - 9 , 353 b - 11 , 353 b - 13 , 353 b - 15 , and 353 b - 17 , respectively.
  • the other signals dSI 2 ⁇ , dSI 3 ⁇ , dSI 4 ⁇ , dSI 5 ⁇ , and dSI 6 ⁇ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 2 to dSI 6 are propagated in the wirings 197 b - 10 , 197 b - 12 , 197 b - 14 , 197 b - 16 , and 197 b - 18 and are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 b - 10 , 180 b - 12 , 180 b - 14 , 180 b - 16 , and 180 b - 18 and the terminals 353 b - 10 , 353 b - 12 , 353 b - 14 , 353 b - 16 , and 353 b - 18 .
  • the base latch signal oLAT is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 20 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 20 and the terminal 353 b - 20 in the connector 350 b .
  • the base change signal oCHa is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 22 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 22 and the terminal 353 b - 22 in the connector 350 b .
  • the base change signal oCHb is propagated in the wiring 197 b - 23 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 23 and the terminal 353 b - 23 of the connector 350 b.
  • the wiring 197 b - 20 is used as the wiring for propagating the base diagnosis signal oDIG 3 and as the wiring for propagating the base latch signal oLAT.
  • the wiring 197 b - 22 is used as the wiring for propagating the base diagnosis signal oDIG 4 and as the wiring for propagating the base change signal oCHa.
  • the ground signal GND 1 is propagated in the wirings 197 b - 19 and 197 b - 21 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 b - 19 and 180 b - 21 and the terminals 353 b - 19 and 3530 b - 21 in the connector 350 b . That is, the wiring 197 b - 19 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 b - 19 through the contact portion 180 b - 19 and is used for propagating the ground signal GND 1 to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 21 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 b - 21 through the contact portion 180 b - 21 and is used for propagating the ground signal GND 1 to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 20 is located to be adjacent to the wiring 197 b - 19 and the wiring 197 b - 21 in the Y-direction being the direction in which the terminal 353 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 5 are arranged.
  • the ground signal GND 1 is input to the terminal 353 b - 19 and the terminal 353 b - 21 .
  • the base diagnosis signal oDIG 3 is input to the terminal 353 b - 20 .
  • the terminal 353 b - 20 is located to be adjacent to the terminal 353 b - 19 and the terminal 353 b - 21 in the Y-direction being the direction in which the terminal 353 b - 4 and the terminal 353 b - 5 are arranged.
  • the ground signal GND 1 is input to the contact portion 180 b - 19 and the contact portion 180 b - 21 .
  • the base diagnosis signal oDIG 3 is input to the contact portion 180 b - 20 .
  • the contact portion 180 b - 20 is located to be adjacent to the contact portion 180 b - 19 and the contact portion 180 b - 21 in the Y-direction being the direction in which the contact portion 180 b - 4 and the contact portion 180 b - 5 are arranged.
  • the wiring 197 b - 21 is an example of a sixth wiring.
  • the terminal 353 b - 21 is an example of a sixth terminal.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 21 at which the wiring 197 b - 21 and the terminal 353 b - 21 are electrically in contact with each other is an example of a sixth contact portion.
  • the ground signal GND 2 is propagated in the wirings 197 b - 3 and 197 b - 6 of the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 b - 3 and 180 b - 6 and the terminals 353 b - 3 and 353 b - 6 in the connector 350 b . That is, the wiring 197 b - 3 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 b - 3 through the contact portion 180 b - 3 and is used for propagating the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 6 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 b - 6 through the contact portion 180 b - 6 and is used for propagating the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 3 is located to be adjacent to the wiring 197 b - 4
  • the wiring 197 b - 6 is located to be adjacent to the wiring 197 b - 5 .
  • the ground signal GND 2 is an example of a second reference voltage signal.
  • the cable 19 b is used for propagating a plurality of control signals such as a signal NVTS, a signal TSIG, and a signal NCHG, between the liquid discharge head 21 and the control mechanism 10 .
  • the signal NVTS is used for detecting a discharge state of an ink from the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the signal TSIG is used for defining a detection timing of the discharge state of the ink by the signal NVTS.
  • the signal NCHG is used for forcibly driving the plurality of piezoelectric elements 60 in the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 c and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 c .
  • FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 d and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 d . As illustrated in FIGS.
  • the cable 19 c and the cable 19 d are used for propagating the driving signals COMA 7 to COMA 12 and COMB 7 to COMB 12 (being bases of the driving signals VOUT 7 to VOUT 12 to be supplied to one ends of the piezoelectric elements 60 included in the nozzle lines L 2 a to L 2 f ) and the voltage VBS 7 to VBS 12 (to be supplied to the other ends of the piezoelectric elements 60 ).
  • the driving signal COMA 7 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 7 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 2 a is propagated in wirings 197 d - 22 and 197 d - 24 .
  • the driving signal COMB 7 is propagated in wirings 197 c - 2 and 197 c - 4 .
  • the voltage VBS 7 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 c - 1 , 197 c - 3 , 197 d - 21 , and 197 d - 23 .
  • the driving signal COMA 8 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 8 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 2 b is propagated in wirings 197 c - 6 and 197 c - 8 .
  • the driving signal COMB 8 is propagated in wirings 197 d - 18 and 197 d - 20 .
  • the voltage VBS 8 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 c - 5 , 197 c - 7 , 197 d - 17 , and 197 d - 19 .
  • the driving signal COMA 8 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 9 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 2 c is propagated in wirings 197 d - 14 and 197 d - 16 .
  • the driving signal COMB 9 is propagated in wirings 197 c - 10 and 197 c - 12 .
  • the voltage VBS 9 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 c - 9 , 197 c - 11 , 197 d - 13 , and 197 d - 15 .
  • the driving signal COMA 10 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 10 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 2 d is propagated in wirings 197 c - 14 and 197 c - 16 .
  • the driving signal COMB 10 is propagated in wirings 197 d - 10 and 197 d - 12 .
  • the voltage VBS 10 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 c - 13 , 197 c - 15 , 197 d - 9 , and 197 d - 11 .
  • the driving signal COMA 11 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 11 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 2 e is propagated in wirings 197 d - 6 and 197 d - 8 .
  • the driving signal COMB 11 is propagated in wirings 197 c - 18 and 197 c - 20 .
  • the voltage VBS 11 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 c - 17 , 197 c - 19 , 197 d - 5 , and 197 d - 7 .
  • the driving signal COMA 12 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 12 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 2 f is propagated in wirings 197 c - 22 and 197 c - 24 .
  • the driving signal COMB 12 is propagated in wirings 197 d - 2 and 197 d - 4 .
  • the voltage VBS 12 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 c - 21 , 197 c - 23 , 197 d - 1 , and 197 d - 3 .
  • FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 e and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 e .
  • the cable 19 e is used for propagating a plurality of control signals including the ground signal GND 1 and the voltage VHV to be supplied to the plurality of driving signal selection circuits 200 .
  • the plurality of control signals propagated in the cable 19 e are supplied to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 e.
  • the ground signal GND 1 is propagated in each of the wirings 197 e - 2 and 197 e - 4 to 197 e - 19 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180 e - 2 and 180 e - 4 to 180 e - 19 and each of the connectors 350 e - 3 and 350 e - 4 to 350 e - 19 .
  • the voltage VHV is propagated in the wiring 197 e - 1 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 e - 1 and the connector 350 e - 1 .
  • the voltage VDD is propagated in each of the wirings 197 e - 20 to 197 e - 23 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180 e - 20 to 180 e - 23 and each of the connectors 350 e - 20 to 350 e - 23 .
  • the cable 19 e is used for propagating a plurality of control signals such as a signal XHOT indicating temperature abnormality of the liquid discharge head 21 and a signal TH indicating temperature information of the liquid discharge head 21 , between the liquid discharge head 21 and the control mechanism 10 .
  • FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 f and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 f .
  • the cable 19 b is used for propagating the differential signal including the differential clock signal dSCK and the differential print data signals dSI 7 to dSI 12 , and the single-ended signal including the base latch signal oLAT, the base change signals oCHa and oCHb, and the ground signals GND 1 and GND 2 .
  • the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated in a wiring 197 f - 4 of the cable 19 f and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 f - 4 and the terminal 353 f - 4 in the connector 350 f .
  • the other signal dSCK ⁇ in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated in a wiring 197 f - 5 of the cable 19 f and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 f - 5 and the terminal 353 f - 5 of the connector 350 f.
  • the differential print data signals dSI 7 to dSI 12 are propagated in wirings 197 f - 7 to 197 f - 18 of the cable 19 f and are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 f - 7 to 180 f - 18 and the terminals 353 b - 7 to 353 b - 18 in the connector 350 f.
  • the one signals dSI 7 +, dSI 8 +, dSI 9 +, dSI 10 +, dSI 11 +, and dSI 12 + in the pair of differential print data signals sdSI 7 to dSI 12 are propagated in wirings 197 f - 7 , 197 f - 9 , 197 f - 11 , 197 f - 13 , 197 f - 15 , and 197 f - 17 and are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 f - 7 , 180 f - 9 , 180 f - 11 , 180 f - 13 , 180 f - 15 , and 180 f - 17 and the terminal 353 f - 7 , 353 f - 9 , 353 f - 11 , 353 f - 13 , 353 f - 15 , and 353 f - 17 , respectively.
  • the other signals dSI 7 ⁇ , dSI 8 ⁇ , dSI 9 ⁇ , dSI 10 ⁇ , dSI 11 ⁇ , and dSI 12 ⁇ in the differential print data signals dSI 7 to dSI 12 are propagated in wirings 197 f - 8 , 197 f - 10 , 197 f - 12 , 197 f - 14 , 197 f - 16 , and 197 f - 18 and are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 f - 8 , 180 f - 10 , 180 f - 12 , 180 f - 14 , 180 f - 16 , and 180 f - 18 and the terminals 353 f - 8 , 353 f - 10 , 353 f - 12 , 353 f - 14 , 353 f - 16 , and 353 f - 18 .
  • the base latch signal oLAT is propagated in a wiring 197 f - 20 of the cable 19 f and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 f - 20 and the terminal 353 f - 20 in the connector 350 f
  • the base change signal oCHa is propagated in a wiring 197 f - 22 of the cable 19 f and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 f - 22 and the terminal 353 f - 22 in the connector 350 f
  • the base change signal oCHb is propagated in a wiring 197 f - 23 of the cable 19 f and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 f - 23 and the terminal 353 b - 23 in the connector 350 f.
  • the ground signal GND 1 is propagated in wirings 197 f - 19 and 197 f - 21 of the cable 19 f and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 f - 19 and 180 f - 21 and the terminals 353 f - 19 and 353 f - 21 of the connector 350 f.
  • the ground signal GND 2 is propagated in wirings 197 f - 3 and 197 f - 6 of the cable 19 f and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portions 180 f - 3 and 180 f - 6 and the terminals 353 f - 3 and 353 f - 6 of the connector 350 f
  • the wiring 197 f - 3 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 f - 3 through the contact portion 180 f - 3 and is used for propagating the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200 .
  • the wiring 197 f - 6 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353 f - 6 through the contact portion 180 f - 6 , and is used for propagating the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200 .
  • the cable 19 f is used for propagating a plurality of control signals such as a signal NVTS for detecting a discharge state of an ink from the liquid discharge head 21 , a signal TSIG for defining a detection timing of the discharge state of the ink by the signal NVTS, and a signal NCHG for forcibly driving the plurality of piezoelectric elements 60 in the liquid discharge head 21 , between the liquid discharge head 21 and the control mechanism 10 .
  • a signal NVTS for detecting a discharge state of an ink from the liquid discharge head 21
  • a signal TSIG for defining a detection timing of the discharge state of the ink by the signal NVTS
  • a signal NCHG for forcibly driving the plurality of piezoelectric elements 60 in the liquid discharge head 21 , between the liquid discharge head 21 and the control mechanism 10 .
  • FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 g and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 g .
  • FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 h and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 h .
  • the cable 19 g and the cable 19 h are used for propagating the driving signals VOUT 1 to VOUT 6 to be supplied to one ends of the piezoelectric elements 60 included in the nozzle lines L 1 a to L 1 f and the voltage VBS 1 to VBS 6 (to be supplied to the other ends of the piezoelectric elements 60 .
  • the driving signal COMA 1 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 1 to be supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 1 a is propagated in wirings 197 h - 22 and 197 h - 24 .
  • the driving signal COMB 1 is propagated in wirings 197 g - 2 and 197 c - 4 .
  • the voltage VBS 1 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 g - 1 , 197 g - 3 , 197 h - 21 , and 197 h - 23 .
  • the driving signal COMA 2 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 2 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 1 b is propagated in wirings 197 g - 6 and 197 g - 8 .
  • the driving signal COMB 2 is propagated in wirings 197 h - 18 and 197 h - 20 .
  • the voltage VBS 2 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 g - 5 , 197 g - 7 , 197 h - 17 , and 197 h - 19 .
  • the driving signal COMA 3 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 3 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 1 c is propagated in wirings 197 h - 14 and 197 h - 16 .
  • the driving signal COMB 3 is propagated in wirings 197 g - 10 and 197 g - 12 .
  • the voltage VBS 3 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 g - 9 , 197 g - 11 , 197 h - 13 , and 197 h - 15 .
  • the driving signal COMA 4 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 4 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 1 d is propagated in wirings 197 g - 14 and 197 g - 16 .
  • the driving signal COMB 4 is propagated in wirings 197 h - 10 and 197 h - 12 .
  • the voltage VBS 4 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 g - 13 , 197 g - 15 , 197 h - 9 , and 197 h - 11 .
  • the driving signal COMA 5 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 5 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 1 e is propagated in wirings 197 h - 6 and 197 h - 8 .
  • the driving signal COMB 5 is propagated in wirings 197 g - 18 and 197 g - 20 .
  • the voltage VBS 5 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 g - 17 , 197 g - 19 , 197 h - 5 , and 197 h - 7 .
  • the driving signal COMA 5 being the base of the driving signal VOUT 6 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L 1 f is propagated in wirings 197 g - 22 and 197 g - 24 .
  • the driving signal COMB 6 is propagated in wirings 197 h - 2 and 197 h - 4 .
  • the voltage VBS 6 to be supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is propagated in wirings 197 g - 21 , 197 g - 23 , 197 h - 1 , and 197 h - 3 .
  • the diagnosis signal DIG 1 used for self-diagnosis of the liquid discharge head 21 is propagated as the pair of the differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 , from the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 to the liquid discharge head 21 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 4 , the terminal 353 b - 4 , and the contact portion 180 b - 4 for propagating the signal dDIG 1 + being the one signal of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 are located to be adjacent to the wiring 197 b - 3 , the terminal 353 b - 3 , and the contact portion 180 b - 3 for propagating the ground signal GND 2 of the restoration circuit 130 that restores the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 to the diagnosis signal DIG 1 .
  • the wiring 197 b - 5 , the terminal 353 b - 5 , and the contact portion 180 b - 5 for propagating the signal dDIG 1 ⁇ being the other signal of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 are located to be adjacent to the wiring 197 b - 6 , the terminal 353 b - 6 , and the contact portion 180 b - 6 for propagating the ground signal GND 2 of the restoration circuit 130 .
  • a liquid discharge apparatus 1 , a liquid discharge head control circuit 15 , and a liquid discharge head 21 according to a second embodiment will be described.
  • the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 in the second embodiment is different from the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 in the first embodiment in that the wiring 197 b - 4 adjacent to the wiring 197 b - 3 in which the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is propagated is also used as a wiring in which one signal dDIG 1 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and one signal dSI 1 + of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 are propagated, and the wiring 197 b - 5 adjacent to the wiring 197 b - 6 in which the ground signal GND 2 is propagated is also used as a wiring in which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and the other signal dSI 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 are propagated.
  • the liquid discharge head 21 in the second embodiment is different from the liquid discharge head 21 in the first embodiment in that the terminal 353 b - 4 adjacent to the terminal 353 b - 3 to which the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input is also used as a terminal to which the one signal dDIG 1 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and one signal dSI 1 + of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 are input, and the terminal 353 b - 5 adjacent to the terminal 353 b - 6 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is also used as a terminal to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and the other signal dSI 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 are input.
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the second embodiment is different from the liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the first embodiment in that the contact portion 180 b - 4 adjacent to the contact portion 180 b - 3 to which the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input is also used as a contact portion to which the one signal dDIG 1 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and one signal dSI 1 + of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 are input, and the contact portion 180 b - 5 adjacent to the contact portion 180 b - 6 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is also used as a contact portion to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and the other signal dSI 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 are input.
  • FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 b according to the second embodiment.
  • the wiring 197 a - 4 used as the wiring for propagating the one signal dDIG 1 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and the wiring for propagating the one signal dSI 1 + of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 is located to be adjacent to the wiring 197 - 3 in which the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is propagated.
  • the wiring 197 a - 5 used as the wiring for propagating the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 and the wiring for propagating the other signal dSI 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 is located to be adjacent to the wiring 197 a - 6 in which the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is propagated.
  • the terminal 353 b - 4 used as the terminal to which the one signal dDIG 1 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 is input and the terminal to which the one signal dSI 1 + of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 is input is located to be adjacent to the terminal 353 b - 3 to which the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input.
  • the terminal 353 b - 5 used as the terminal to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 is input and the terminal to which the other signal dSI 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 is input is located to be adjacent to the terminal 353 b - 6 to which the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input.
  • the contact portion 180 b - 4 used as the contact portion to which the one signal dDIG 1 + of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 is input and the contact portion to which the one signal dSI 1 + of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 is input is located to be adjacent to the contact portion 180 b - 3 to which the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 .
  • the contact portion 180 b - 5 used as the contact portion to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 is input and the contact portion to which the other signal dSI 1 ⁇ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI 1 is input is located to be adjacent to the contact portion 180 b - 6 to which the ground signal GND 2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input.
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 , the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 , and the liquid discharge head 21 configured as described above in the second embodiment exhibit advantageous effects similar to those in the liquid discharge apparatus 1 , the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 , and the liquid discharge head 21 described in the first embodiment.
  • a liquid discharge apparatus 1 , a liquid discharge head control circuit 15 , and a liquid discharge head 21 according to a third embodiment will be described.
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 , the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 , and the liquid discharge head 21 in the third embodiment are different from the liquid discharge apparatus 1 , the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 , and the liquid discharge head 21 in the first embodiment in that a wiring, a terminal, and a contact portion for propagating the ground signal GND to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 are provided to face the wirings 197 b - 4 and 197 b - 5 , the terminals 353 b - 4 and 353 b - 5 , and the contact portions 180 b - 4 and 180 b - 5 for propagating the pair of differential diagnosis signals dDIG 1 .
  • FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 a and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 a according to the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating details of a signal which is propagated in the cable 19 b and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 b according to the third embodiment.
  • the connector 350 a and the connector 350 b are provided such that each of the terminals 353 a - 1 to 353 a - p in the connector 350 a at least overlaps each of the terminals 353 b - 1 to 353 b - p in the connector 350 b when the head substrate 320 is viewed from the side 324 toward the side 323 in the X-direction, that is, when the head substrate 320 is viewed in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the terminals 353 a - 1 to 353 a - p in the connector 350 a are arranged in parallel.
  • the descriptions will be made on the assumption that the terminal 353 a - 1 in the connector 350 a and the terminal 353 b - p in the connector 350 b are provided to at least overlap each other, and the terminal 353 a - j (j is any of 1 to P) in the connector 350 a and the terminal 353 b ⁇ ((p+1) ⁇ j) in the connector 350 b are provided to at least overlap each other.
  • the cable 19 a is used for propagating a plurality of control signals including the ground signals GND 1 and GND 2 and the voltage VHV to be supplied to the plurality of driving signal selection circuits 200 .
  • the plurality of control signals propagated in the cable 19 a are supplied to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350 a.
  • the ground signal GND 1 is propagated in each of the wirings 197 a - 2 and 197 a - 4 to 197 a - 19 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180 a - 2 and 180 a - 4 to 180 a - 19 and each of the connectors 350 a - 3 and 350 a - 4 to 350 a - 19 .
  • the ground signal GND 2 is propagated in each of the wirings 197 a - 20 and 197 a - 21 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180 a - 20 and 180 a - 21 and each of the connectors 350 a - 20 and 350 a - 21 .
  • the voltage VHV is propagated in the wiring 197 a - 1 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180 a - 1 and the connector 350 a - 1 .
  • the voltage VDD is propagated in each of the wirings 197 a - 22 and 197 a - 23 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180 a - 22 and 180 a - 23 and each of the connectors 350 a - 20 and 350 a - 23 .
  • the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input to the terminal 353 b - 4 of the connector 350 b , which is provided to at least overlap the terminal 353 a - 21 of the connector 350 a , to which the ground signal GND 2 is input.
  • the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input to the terminal 353 b - 5 of the connector 350 b , which is provided to at least overlap the terminal 353 a - 20 of the connector 350 a , to which the ground signal GND 2 is input.
  • the terminal 353 a - 21 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is located to overlap the terminal 353 b - 4 to which the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input, and the terminal 353 a - 20 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is located to overlap the terminal 353 b - 5 to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input.
  • the ground signal GND 2 and the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 are input to the different connectors 350 .
  • the terminal 353 a - 21 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is located to face the terminal 353 b - 4 to which the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input, and the terminal 353 a - 20 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is located to face the terminal 353 b - 5 to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input.
  • the phrase of being located to face is not limited to that a space is provided between the terminal 353 a - k and the terminal 353 b - k .
  • the head substrate 320 , the housing 351 of the connector 350 , and the insulator 198 of the cable 19 may be interposed between the terminal 353 a - k and the terminal 353 b - k .
  • the phrase of being located to face means that another terminal 353 is not located between the terminal 353 a - k and the terminal 353 b - k when viewed from a specific direction.
  • the shortest distance between the terminal 353 a - 21 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input and the terminal 353 b - 4 to which the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input is shorter than the shortest distance between the terminal 353 a - 21 and the terminal of the connector 350 a , to which the ground signal GND 1 is input.
  • the shortest distance between the terminal 353 a - 20 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input and the terminal 353 b - 5 to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input is shorter than the shortest distance between the terminal 353 a - 20 and the terminal of the connector 350 a , to which the ground signal GND 1 is input.
  • the shortest distance means a spatial distance when the terminals 353 are joined to each other by a straight line.
  • the wiring 197 a - 21 in which the ground signal GND 2 is propagated is located to overlap the wiring 197 b - 4 in which the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is propagated.
  • the wiring 197 a - 20 in which the ground signal GND 2 is propagated is located to overlap the wiring 197 b - 5 in which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is propagated.
  • the ground signal GND 2 and the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 are propagated in the different cables 19 .
  • the wiring 197 a - 21 in which the ground signal GND 2 is propagated is located to face the wiring 197 b - 4 in which the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is propagated.
  • the wiring 197 a - 20 in which the ground signal GND 2 is propagated is located to face the wiring 197 b - 5 in which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is propagated.
  • the phrase of being located to face is not limited to that a space is provided between the wiring 197 a - k and the wiring 197 b - k .
  • the head substrate 320 , the housing 351 of the connector 350 , and the insulator 198 of the cable 19 may be interposed between the wiring 197 a - k and the wiring 197 b - k.
  • the contact portion 180 a - 21 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is located to overlap the contact portion 180 b - 4 to which the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input.
  • the contact portion 180 a - 20 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is located to overlap the contact portion 180 b - 5 to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input.
  • the ground signal GND 2 and the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 are input to the liquid discharge head 21 from the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 through the different contact portions 180 .
  • the contact portion 180 a - 21 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is located to face the contact portion 180 b - 4 to which the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input
  • the contact portion 180 a - 20 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input is located to face the contact portion 180 b - 5 to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input.
  • the phrase of being located to face is not limited to that a space is provided between the contact portion 180 a - k and the contact portion 180 b - k .
  • the head substrate 320 , the housing 351 of the connector 350 , and the insulator 198 of the cable 19 may be interposed between the contact portion 180 a - k and the contact portion 180 b - k .
  • the phrase of being located to face means that another contact portion 180 is not located between the contact portion 180 a - k and the contact portion 180 b - k when viewed from a specific direction.
  • the shortest distance between the contact portion 180 a - 21 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input and the contact portion 180 b - 4 to which the one signal dDIG 1 + in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input is shorter than the shortest distance between the contact portion 180 a - 21 and the contact portion 180 to which the ground signal GND 1 is input.
  • the shortest distance between the contact portion 180 a - 20 to which the ground signal GND 2 is input and the contact portion 180 b - 5 to which the other signal dDIG 1 ⁇ in the differential diagnosis signal dDIG 1 is input is shorter than the shortest distance between the contact portion 180 a - 20 and the contact portion 180 to which the ground signal GND 1 is input.
  • the shortest distance means a spatial distance when the contact portions 180 are joined to each other by a straight line.
  • the liquid discharge apparatus 1 , the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 , and the liquid discharge head 21 configured as described above in the third embodiment exhibit advantageous effects similar to those in the liquid discharge apparatus 1 , the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 , and the liquid discharge head 21 described in the first embodiment.
  • the present disclosure includes the substantially same configurations (for example, configurations having the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations having the same objects and effects) as the configurations described in the embodiments.
  • the present disclosure includes configurations in which non-essential components of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced.
  • the present disclosure includes configurations having the same advantageous effects as those of the configurations described in the embodiments or includes configurations capable of achieving the same object.
  • the present disclosure includes configurations in which a known technique is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
US16/727,600 2018-12-25 2019-12-26 Liquid discharge head control circuit, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge apparatus Active 2040-02-17 US11198289B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JPJP2018-241701 2018-12-25
JP2018241701 2018-12-25
JP2018-241701 2018-12-25
JPJP2019-036740 2019-02-28
JP2019-036740 2019-02-28
JP2019036740A JP7207015B2 (ja) 2018-12-25 2019-02-28 液体吐出ヘッド制御回路、液体吐出ヘッド、及び液体吐出装置

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20200198334A1 US20200198334A1 (en) 2020-06-25
US11198289B2 true US11198289B2 (en) 2021-12-14

Family

ID=71099462

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/727,600 Active 2040-02-17 US11198289B2 (en) 2018-12-25 2019-12-26 Liquid discharge head control circuit, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge apparatus

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US11198289B2 (zh)
CN (1) CN111376593B (zh)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2022102337A (ja) 2020-12-25 2022-07-07 セイコーエプソン株式会社 液体吐出ヘッド制御回路、及び液体吐出装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2017114020A (ja) 2015-12-25 2017-06-29 セイコーエプソン株式会社 ヘッドユニット制御回路
US20180272700A1 (en) * 2017-03-22 2018-09-27 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid discharging apparatus

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2942230B2 (ja) * 1998-01-12 1999-08-30 キヤノン株式会社 画像形成装置及び発光装置
JP5194341B2 (ja) * 2005-07-06 2013-05-08 ブラザー工業株式会社 記録装置
JP6027918B2 (ja) * 2013-03-01 2016-11-16 キヤノン株式会社 記録ヘッド用の基板、記録ヘッド及び記録装置
WO2015183296A1 (en) * 2014-05-30 2015-12-03 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Piezoelectric printhead assembly with multiplier to scale multiple nozzles
JP6387955B2 (ja) * 2015-12-25 2018-09-12 セイコーエプソン株式会社 ヘッドユニット制御回路
JP6701723B2 (ja) * 2015-12-25 2020-05-27 セイコーエプソン株式会社 接続ケーブル

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2017114020A (ja) 2015-12-25 2017-06-29 セイコーエプソン株式会社 ヘッドユニット制御回路
US20190009531A1 (en) * 2015-12-25 2019-01-10 Seiko Epson Corporation Head unit control circuit
US20180272700A1 (en) * 2017-03-22 2018-09-27 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid discharging apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN111376593A (zh) 2020-07-07
CN111376593B (zh) 2021-06-29
US20200198334A1 (en) 2020-06-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10974501B2 (en) Liquid discharge apparatus and circuit substrate
US11034146B2 (en) Liquid discharge head control circuit, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge apparatus
US11335624B2 (en) Print head and liquid discharge apparatus
US20200086658A1 (en) Liquid discharge apparatus, liquid discharge system, and print head
US10882313B2 (en) Print head control circuit, print head, and liquid discharge apparatus
US11198289B2 (en) Liquid discharge head control circuit, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge apparatus
JP7207015B2 (ja) 液体吐出ヘッド制御回路、液体吐出ヘッド、及び液体吐出装置
US10974502B2 (en) Liquid discharge apparatus and circuit substrate
JP7302201B2 (ja) プリントヘッド制御回路及び液体吐出装置
JP2022040498A (ja) 液体吐出装置、ヘッド駆動回路、及び液体吐出ヘッド
US11148415B2 (en) Print head control circuit, print head, and liquid discharge apparatus
US10960662B2 (en) Print head control circuit and liquid discharge apparatus
US11440314B2 (en) Print head control circuit, print head, and liquid discharge apparatus
JP7259409B2 (ja) 液体吐出ヘッド制御回路、液体吐出ヘッド、及び液体吐出装置
JP2020049935A (ja) プリントヘッド制御回路、プリントヘッド及び液体吐出装置
US11926154B2 (en) Liquid ejecting apparatus
US10894404B2 (en) Print head control circuit and liquid discharge apparatus
EP3693171B1 (en) Print head control circuit
US11912026B2 (en) Liquid ejecting apparatus
US11685155B2 (en) Liquid ejecting apparatus and head unit
EP3693172B1 (en) Print head control circuit
US20210060944A1 (en) Liquid discharging apparatus

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ITO, SUKEHIRO;NISHIMURA, HIDEAKI;REEL/FRAME:051371/0160

Effective date: 20191001

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: PUBLICATIONS -- ISSUE FEE PAYMENT VERIFIED

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE